Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Coconut Shell and Fibre as Additives

Sustainability is a key in modern construction scenario. Even when the construction industry underwent a revolution in terms of equipment and materials used, the resultant impact on environment skyrocketed. This leads to the adoption of more sustainable approaches in construction like using coconut byproducts such as coconut fibre and shell as additives in concrete. Coconut fibre is abundantly available material which makes it a viable reinforcement material in concrete and the same goes for coconut shell which can be used as a partial replacement for conventional aggregate. This can further act as a new source of income for the coconut producers who get the benefit of the new demand generated by the construction industry. It is also an effective method of disposal of coconut husks and shells and thus reduces their negative impact on the environment. This project aims at studying the variation of strength of coconut fibre reinforced concrete (CFRC) with different percentages of coconut fibre (0.5%, 1%,1.5% and 2% by weight of cement), coconut shell aggregate concrete by replacing coarse aggregate with different percentages of coconut shell ( 15%, 30% and 45%) compared with that of conventional concrete. The optimum percentage of both fibres to be added and coconut shell to be used is determined by analyzing the strength aspects such as flexural, compressive and tensile strength. This project also includes the investigation on the mechanical properties of CFRC with coconut shell aggregate by incorporating coconut fibre and shell together in concrete matrix. The optimum percentage of coconut fibre in CFRC was obtained as 1% (by weight of cement) for peak flexural and tensile strength. The 15% replacement of conventional aggregate by coconut shell resulted in minimum reduction in the compressive strength of concrete which was found out as optimum percentage of coconut shell. From the present study it was found that the mechanical properties of coconut shell aggregate concrete with the addition of coconut fibre are comparable with the conventional concrete which leads to develop a sustainable concrete composite.