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Research Paper | Civil Engineering | India | Volume 2 Issue 6, June 2013

Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam Using Coconut Shell and Fly Ash

M. Senthilkumar | N. Sivakami

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. The properties of concrete using coconut shell (CS) as coarse aggregate were investigated in this experimental study. The cement was replaced with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of fly ash and optimum percentage was found. The crushed coconut shells were used as substitute for conventional coarse aggregate in proportions of 50% and 100%. For the selected mix, a comparison has been done for CS concrete with and without fly ash. Compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural test were investigated in the laboratory. The results showed that, density of the concretes decreases with increase in CS per cent. Workability decreased with increase in CS replacement. Compressive strength of CS concrete was lower than control concrete. Permeable voids, absorption and sorption were higher for CS replaced concretes than control concrete. A potential exists for the use of coconut shells as replacement of conventional aggregate in both conventional reinforced concrete and lightweight reinforced concrete construction. The use of coconut shells as partial replacement for conventional aggregates should be encouraged as an environmental protection and construction cost reduction measure.

Keywords: Coconut shells; Compressive strength; Split tensile strength; Sustainability

Edition: Volume 2 Issue 6, June 2013,

Pages: 480 - 484