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Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
A.H.L.Swaroop
Assistant Professor, Gudlavalleru Engineering College
Ch.Naga Bharath
Assistant Professor, Gudlavalleru Engineering College
ABSTRACT
Concrete is the premier construction material around the world and is most widely used in all
types of construction works, including infrastructure, low and high-rise buildings, and domestic
developments. It is a man-made product, essentially consisting of a mixture of cement, aggregates,
water and admixture(s). Inert granular materials such as sand, crushed stone or gravel form the major
part of the aggregates. Traditionally aggregates have been readily available at economic prices and of
qualities to suit all purposes. But, the continued extensive extraction use of aggregates from natural
resources has been questioned because of the depletion of quality primary aggregates and greater
awareness of environmental protection.
In light of this, the non-availability of natural resources to future generations has also been
realized. Different alternative waste materials and industrial by products such as fly ash, bottom ash,
recycled aggregates, foundry sand, china clay sand, crumb rubber, glass were replaced with natural
aggregate and investigated properties of the concretes. Apart from above mentioned waste materials
and industrial by products, few studies identified that coconut shells, the agricultural by product can
also be used as aggregate in concrete.
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According to a report, coconut is grown in more than 86 countries worldwide, with a total
production of 54 billion nuts per annum. India occupies the premier position in the world with an
annual production of 13 billion nuts, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines. Limited research has
been conducted on mechanical properties of concrete with coconut shells as aggregate replacement.
However, further research is needed for better understanding of the behavior of coconut shells as
aggregate in concrete.
Thus, the aim of this work is to provide more data on the strengths of coconut shell concretes
at different coconut shells (CS) replacements and study the transport properties of concrete with
coconut shells as coarse aggregate replacement. Furthermore, in this study, the effect of fly ash as
cement replacement and aggregate replacement on properties of the coconut shells replaced concrete
was also investigated.
The concrete obtained using coconut shell aggregates satisfies the minimum requirements of
concrete. Concrete using coconut shell aggregates resulted in acceptable strength required for
structural concrete. coconut shell may offer itself as a coarse aggregate as well as a potential
construction material in the field of construction industries and this would solve the environmental
problem of reducing the generation of solid wastes simultaneously. The coconut shell cement
composite is compatible and no pre-treatment is required. coconut shell concrete has better
workability because of the smooth surface on one side of the shells. The impact resistance of coconut
shell concrete is high when compared with conventional concrete. Moisture retaining and water
absorbing capacity of coconut shell are more compared to conventional aggregate. The amount of
cement content may be more when coconut shell are used as an aggregate in the production of
concrete compared to conventional aggregate concrete. The presence of sugar in the coconut shells
as long as it is not in a free sugar form, will not affect the setting and strength of concrete.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Alternative Waste Materials, Coconut Shells, Coconut Shell
Concrete, Strength Properties.
1. INTRODUCTION
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hectares. South East Asia is regarded as the origin of coconut. The four major players India,
Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka contribute 78% of the world production.
According to FAO statistics (Food and Agriculture Organization) 2007, global production of
coconuts was 61.5 MT with Indonesia, Philippines, India, Brazil and Sri Lanka as the major
contributors to coconut production. The total world coconut area was estimated as approximately 12
million hectares and around 93 percent is found in the Asian and Pacific region. The average annual
production of coconut was estimated to be 10 million metric tons of copra equivalents. Of the world
production of coconut, more than 50 percent is processed into copra. While a small portion is
converted into desiccated coconut 5 and other edible kernel products, the rest is consumed as fresh
nuts.
According to a study done by the Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (CPCRI) at
Kasargod, the countrys coconut production was headed for an all-time high of 5 14,370 million nuts
in 2006-07. Higher productivity in Tamil Nadu was the main reason for the escalation in the
production. In India, the southern states account for 90 per cent of the total production. Kerala tops
with 5400 million nuts while Tamil Nadu with 4190 million nuts is the second highest producer.
Currently, the crop is grown in 1.91 million hectares with an annual production of nearly
14,000,15700&17500million nuts. As per the recent Government of India statistics 2008-09, 2009-
10&2011-12 India has emerged as the largest producer of coconut in the world with a production of
15,840 million nuts. India accounts for 26.9 per cent of the worlds production. In India, the four
south Indian states namely Kerala, Tamil nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh account for around
90% of the coconut production in the country.
1.2.2 Present use of coconut shell
Coconut shells have good durability characteristics, high toughness and abrasion resistant
properties; it is suitable for long standing use. Coconut shells are mostly used as an ornament,
making fancy items, house hold utensils, and as a source of activated carbon from its charcoal. The
powdered shell is also used in the industries of plastics, glues, and abrasive materials and it is widely
used for the manufacture of insect repellent in the form of mosquito coils and in agarbathis. The
purpose of this research work is to develop a concrete with coconut shells as coarse aggregate. The
whole entity could be called coconut shell aggregate concrete (CSAC). After the coconut is scraped
out, the shell is usually discarded as waste as shown in Figure 1.1. The vast amount of this discarded
coconut shells resource is as yet unutilized commercially; its use as a building material, especially in
concrete, on the lines of other LWA is an interesting topic for study. The study of coconut shells will
not only provide a new material for construction but will also help in the preservation of the
environment in addition to improving the economy by providing new use for the coconut shells.
Therefore attempts have been taken to utilize the coconut shells as coarse aggregate and develop the
new structural LWC.
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1.4 Methodology
The basic properties of coconut shells such as physical, chemical, mechanical properties, and
the compatibility of coconut shells with cement were studied. Based on the standard procedures and
methods followed for the production of conventional LWC, the coconut shell aggregate concrete
were produced. Numerous trial mixes were conducted by varying cement content, sand, coconut
shells and water-cement (w/c) ratio. The acceptable trial mixes were then identified and finally, the
workability, strength, density and durability requirements for different applications of LWC were
taken into consideration during the selection of the optimum coconut shell aggregate concrete mix.
Also, the concrete mix was optimized for coconut shells cement ratio and w/c ratio. This optimum
mix was then used throughout the entire investigation for the production of coconut shell aggregate
concrete specimens. Control concrete (CC) using crushed granite stone aggregate concrete (normal
weight concrete NWC) was also produced for comparison purposes. Comparison studies between
CC and coconut shell aggregate concrete were conducted only on the fresh concrete properties,
compressive strength, basic and mechanical properties. The behavior of NWC, namely the structural
bond, durability and temperature properties are well established. Therefore these properties were not
investigated for CC in this study. Structural properties such as flexural and shear behavior of
reinforced coconut shell aggregate concrete beams were studied by making prototype elements and
the results are compared with the other LWA used in concrete. Comparisons of some properties for
coconut shell aggregate concrete were made using some codes of practice and other LWC. Also,
tests conducted on temperature characteristics of coconut shell aggregate concrete are studied.
2. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
2.1 Materials
The constituent materials used in this investigation were procured from local sources. These
materials are required by conducting various tests. Due to these results we were define what type of
materials are used. We are using cement, fly ash, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, coconut shells
and water.
2.1.1 Cement
Ordinary Portland cement of C53 grade conforming to both the requirements of IS: 12269 and
ASTM C 642-82 type-I was used. We are conducting different types of tests on cement, those are
Normal Consistency, Initial and Final setting times, Compressive strength of cement, Specific
Gravity and Fineness of cement. From the test results obtained the conventional concrete can be
designed according to IS10262-82(MIX DESIGN CODE). Finally M30 Grade concrete is designed.
2.1.2 Coarse Aggregate
Normal aggregate that is crushed blue granite of maximum size 20 mm was used as coarse
aggregate. We are conducting tests on coarse aggregate are Water Absorption Capacity, Specific
Gravity and Fineness Modulus of coarse aggregate.
2.1.3 Fine Aggregate
Well graded river sand passing through 4.75 mm was used as fine aggregate. The sand was air-dried
and sieved to remove any foreign particles prior to mixing. We are conducting tests on fine aggregate
are Water Absorption Capacity, Specific Gravity and Fineness Modulus of fine aggregate.
2.1.4 Fly Ash
Fly ash closely resembles volcanic ashes used in production of the earliest known hydraulic cements
about 2,300 years ago. Those cements were made near the small Italian town of Pozzuoli which
later gave its name to the term pozzolan. A pozzolan is siliceous/aluminous material that, when
mixed with lime and water, forms a cementitious compound. Fly ash is the best known, and one of
the most commonly used, pozzolans in the world. Instead of volcanoes, todays fly ash comes
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primarily from coal-fired, electricity-generating power plants. These power plants grind coal to
powder fineness before it is burned. Fly ash the mineral residue produced by burning coal is
captured from the power plants exhaust gases and collected for use.The difference between fly ash
and portland cement becomes apparent under a microscope. Fly ash particles are almost totally
spherical in shape, allowing them to flow and blend freely in mixtures. That capability is one of the
properties making fly ash a desirable admixture for concrete.
First of all, the spherical shape of fly ash creates a ball bearing effect in the mix, improving
workability without increasing water requirements. Fly ash also improves the pump-ability of
concrete by making it more cohesive and less prone to segregation. The spherical shape improves the
pump-ability by decreasing the friction between the concrete and the pump line. In addition, some fly
ashes have been shown to significantly decrease heat generation as the concrete hardens and
strengthens. Fly ash, as do all pozzolanic materials, generally provide increased concrete strength
gain for much longer periods than mixes with portland cement only. The biggest reason to use fly
ash in concrete is the increased life cycle expectancy and increase in durability associated with its
use. During the hydration process, fly ash chemically reacts with the calcium hydroxide forming
calcium silicate hydrate and calcium aluminate, which reduces the risk of leaching calcium
hydroxide and concretes permeability. Fly ash also improves the permeability of concrete by
lowering the water-to-cement ratio, which reduces the volume of capillary pores remaining in the
mass. The spherical shape of fly ash improves the consolidation of concrete, which also reduces
permeability. Other benefits of fly ash in concrete include resistance to corrosion of concrete
reinforcement, attack from Alkali-silica reaction, sulfate attack and acids and salt attack.
2.1.4.1 Types of Fly ash
1) Class F fly ash
The burning of harder, older anthracite and bituminous coal typically produces Class F fly ash. This
fly ash is in nature, and contains less than 20% (CaO). Possessing pozzolanic properties, the glassy
silica and alumina of Class F fly ash requires a cementing agent, such as Portland cement, quicklime,
or hydrated lime, with the presence of water in order to react and produce cementitious compounds.
Alternatively, the addition of a chemical activator such as (water glass) to a Class F ash can lead to
the formation of a.
2) Class C fly ash
Fly ash produced from the burning of younger lignite or sub bituminous coal, in addition to having
pozzolanic properties, also has some self-cementing properties. In the presence of water, Class C fly
ash will harden and gain strength over time. Class C fly ash generally contains more than 20% lime
(CaO). Unlike Class F, self-cementing Class C fly ash does not require an activator. Alkali and
(SO4) contents are generally higher in Class C fly ashes. Fly ash is used as a replacement of cement
or aggregate. It contains solid spherical particles. It increases workability of concrete.
2.1.4.2 Physical Properties
Fly ash consists of fine, powdery particles that are predominantly spherical in shape, either solid or
hollow, and mostly glassy (amorphous) in nature. The carbonaceous material in fly ash is composed
of angular particles. The particle size distribution of most bituminous coal fly ashes is generally
similar to that of a silt (less than a 0.075 mm or No. 200 sieve).
The specific gravity of fly ash usually ranges from 2.1 to 3.0, while its specific surface area may
range from 170 to 1000 m2/kg. The colour of fly ash can vary from tan to gray to black, depending
on the amount of unburned carbon in the ash. The lighter the color, the lower the carbon content.
Lignite or sub bituminous fly ashes are usually light tan to buff in color, indicating relatively low
amounts of carbon as well as the presence of some lime or calcium. Bituminous fly ashes are usually
some shade of gray, with the lighter shades of gray generally indicating a higher quality of ash.
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Property / Source A B C D E
Specific Gravity 1.91 2.12 2.10 2.25 2.14 to 2.429
Wet Sieve Analysis
(% Retained on 16.07 54.65 15.60 5.00 51.00 (dry)
No:325BS Sieve)
Specific Surface
2759 1325 2175 4016 2800 to 3250
(cm2/g Blaines)
Lime Reactivity
86.8 56.0 40.3 79.3 56.25 to 70.31
(kg/cm2)
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dried shells; further broken the shells into small chips manually using hammer and sieved through
12.5mm sieve. The material passed through 12.5mm sieve was used to replace coarse aggregate with
coconut shells. The material retained on 12.5mm sieve was discarded. Water absorption of the
coconut shells was 8% and specific gravity at saturated surface dry condition of the material was
found as 1.33.
The sugar present in wood may cause incompatibility between wood and cement. Since the
coconut shells aggregates are wood based, to estimate the sugar present in coconut shells, 15
Generally, the parameters that determine the compatibility requirements for the coconut
shells cement composite are maximum hydration temperature, time taken to attain maximum
temperature, ratio of the setting times of coconut shells fines-cement mixture, neat cement and
inhibitory index. Inhibitory effect is the measure of the decrease in heat release during the
exothermic chemical process of cement hydration. The coconut shells cement compatibility was
analyzed with the properties such as normal consistency, initial and final setting times, compressive
strength and hydration using the samples of coconut shells fines with cement and neat cement.
2.1.6 Water
The quality of water is important because contaminants can adversely affect the strength of
concrete and cause corrosion of the steel reinforcement. Water used for producing and curing
concrete should be reasonably clean and free from deleterious substances such as oil, acid, alkali,
salt, sugar, silt, organic matter and other elements which are detrimental to the concrete or steel. If
the water is drinkable, it is considered to be suitable for concrete making. Hence, potable tap water
was used in this study for mixing and curing. fine particles passing through IS sieve 9, IS sieve 15,
IS sieve 30 were taken and analyzed without any treatment. Also coconut shells fines passing
through IS sieve 15 was taken and analyzed with treatment. The treatment consisted of soaking the
coconut shells fine particles in water for durations of 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 1 day, 2 days and also
soaked with hot water for 2 h.
Generally, the parameters that determine the compatibility requirements for the coconut
shells cement composite are maximum hydration temperature, time taken to attain maximum
temperature, ratio of the setting times of coconut shells fines-cement mixture, neat cement and
inhibitory index. Inhibitory effect is the measure of the decrease in heat release during the
exothermic chemical process of cement hydration. The coconut shells cement compatibility was
analyzed with the properties such as normal consistency, initial and final setting times, compressive
strength and hydration using the samples of coconut shells fines with cement and neat cement.
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3. DISCUSSION
mix with both coconut shells and fly ash (M4) was also employed, in which, 10% of coconut shells
was replaced with coarse aggregate and 10% of fly ash was replaced with coarse aggregate. M5 mix
contained 10% of coconut shells and 20% of fly ash both replaced with aggregate.
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3.6 Curing
The objective of curing is to keep concrete saturated or as nearly saturated to get the products
of hydration of cement in water-filled space. The temperature of curing and the duration of moist
curing are the key factors for proper curing. The method of curing is one of the main factors
affecting the strength development of concrete. The loss of moisture in the capillary pores due to
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evaporation or dissipated hydration may cause reduction in hydration resulting lower strength. The
moist cured samples give higher compressive strength than dry cured samples of concrete with
certain admixtures. In all types of curing the strength of concrete is dependent to some extent upon
the strength of aggregate. The increment rate in strength is more in crushed stone concrete than in
OPS concrete.
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dried sample in air. V is the volume of sample. The specimens removed from the oven were allowed
to cool to room temperature. These specimens were then completely immersed in water and weight
gain was measured until a constant weight was reached. The absorption at 30 min (initial surface
absorption) and final absorption (at a point when the difference between two consecutive weights
was almost negligible) were reported to assess the concrete quality. The final absorption for all the
concretes was observed to be at 72 h
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4. RESULTS
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replacement. Although there was little difference of initial water absorption between coconut shells
concretes, the final absorptions of the concretes were nearly same for all the coconut shells
concretes. Addition of fly ash an aggregate replacement did not show any marked difference when
compared to corresponding coconut shells replaced concrete (M3). With the increase in permeable
voids water absorption also increases. Strength and water absorption are dependent on pore structure
of the concrete and are inversely proportional to one another, that is, if porosity increases, strength
decreases and absorption increases.
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M 30 Grade Concrete
COMPARISON OF RESULTS: (COMPRESSIVE STERNGTH)
10% CS + 10% CS +
CONVENTIONAL
DAYS 10% CS 20% CS 10% FLY 20% FLY
CONCRETE
ASH ASH
3 days 19.9 16.83 18.02 17.89 17.81
7 days 23.9 2443 25.01 24.7 24.33
28 days 37.3 36.8 34.2 37.5 37.7
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COMPARISON OF DETAILS
S No MIX DENSITY (kg/m3) WEIGHT
1. Conventional Concrete 2365 7.981
2. 10% CS + 0% FA 2186 7.377
3. 20% CS + 0% FA 2061 6.955
4. 10% CS + 10% FA 2027 6.841
5. 10% CS + 20% FA 2023 6.827
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CONCLUSION
Results of experiments on compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption and
sorption for different coconut shells replaced concretes have been presented with those of control
concrete. However, performance of coconut shells aggregate concrete having a marginal variation
than normal aggregate concrete. The main points of this study are:
1. Addition of coconut shells decreases workability and addition of fly ash as cement
replacement increases workability of coconut shells concrete. Increase in coconut shells
percentage decreased densities of the concretes.
2. By replacement of coconut shells in place of aggregates, 10% &20% replacement will have
been decreased marginally the strength properties of concrete compared to the normal
concrete.
3. But the replacement of coconut shells in place of aggregates and replacement of fly ash in
place of cement will increase the strength properties of concrete compared to the normal
concrete.
4. The replacement of the 10%coconut shells as coarse aggregate will decreases the marginal
value of 2.88% in compression and 2.7% in split tensile strength.
5. The replacement of the 20%coconut shells as coarse aggregate will decreases the marginal
value of 8.39% in compression and 10.25% in split tensile strength.
6. The replacement of the 10%coconut shells as coarse aggregate and 10%fly ash as cement will
decreases the marginal value of 0.525% in compression and increase of 4.05% in split tensile
strength.
7. The replacement of the 10%coconut shells as coarse aggregate and 10%fly ash as cement will
decreases the marginal value of 0.205% in compression and increase of 2.7% in split tensile
strength.
8. From the graph no: 2 the compressive strength of concrete will decrease with increase of
coconut shell percentage.
9. From the graph no:3 Replacement of coconut shell as coarse aggregate and Fly ash as cement
will increase the compressive strength of concrete.
REFERENCES
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