A

Project Report
On
“Study on utilization of coconut shell as
coarse aggregate in concrete”
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
of the degree of

BACHELOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED BY

BORHADE MITESH SHIRISH

CHAUDHARI SACHIN SANTOSH
PAGARE GAURAV RAHUL
VALVI AKSHAY ASHOK

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

PROF.MAHADEV SWAMY /PROF.NIMISHA DESHMUKH

UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
VIGHNAHARATA TRUST’S
SHIVAJIRAO S. JONDHALE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING &
TECHNOLOGY, ASANGAON (E)
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that project report entitled "Study on utilization of coconut

shell as coarse aggregate in concrete" is a bonafide work of MR.BORHADE
MITESH (ROLL.NO.09), MR.CHAUDHARI SACHIN SANTOSH (ROLL.NO.14)
MR,PAGARE GAURAV RAHUL (ROLL NO.53) , MR VALVI AKSHAY ASHOK (ROLL NO.79)
submitted to the University of Mumbai in the partial fulfilment of the requirement for the
reward of the degree of “Bachelor of Engineering” in “Civil Engineering”.

……….…..….……
PROF MAHADEV SWAMY/PROF.NIMISHA DESHMUKH
(PROJECT GUIDE)

….……………………….. …………………………
DR.Patil Yashwant S. DR.Mrs.Geetha K..Jayaraj
(HEAD OF DEPARTMENT) (PRINCIPAL SSJCET)
 DECLARATION

We declare that this written submission represents our ideas in our words and where others
ideas or words have been included; we have adequately cited and referenced the original
sources. We also declare that we have adhered to all principles of academic honesty and
integrity and have not misrepresented or fabricated or falsified any idea/data/ fact/source in
our submission. We understand that any violation of the above will be cause for disciplinary
action by the institute and can also evoke penal action from the sources which have thus been
properly cited or from whom proper permission has not been taken when needed.

BORHADE MITESH …………………….

CHAUDHARI SACHIN SANTOSH …………………….

PAGARE GAURAV RAHUL …………………….

VALVI AKSHAY ASHOK ……………………..

Date: / /

Place: ASANGAON
 APPROVAL FOR PROJECT REPORT

This project report entitled “STUDY ON THE UTILIZATION OF

COCONUT SHELL AS COARSE AGGREGATE IN CONCRETE ” by
“BORHADE MITESH , CHAUDHARI SACHIN, PAGARE GAURAV,
VALVI AKSHAY” is approved for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering in Civil
Engineering.

Examiners

1) …………………….

2) …………………….

Guide

1) …………………….

3) …………………….

DATE:

PLACE: ASANGAON
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The successful completion of the planning and research phases of our project is the result of
dedicated efforts put by many people and this report would be incomplete without giving due
credits to them. This acknowledgment is a token of gratitude in recognition of their help in our
endeavor.

We sincerely thank our project guide and project coordinator Prof. MAHADEV SWAMY
PROF.NIMISHA DESHMUKH for providing us with the solution that always takes us out from
all the chaos. It had been an honor and pleasure to work under her. We would like to give our
sincere thanks to Dr. Y.S.Patil, HOD of Civil Engineering Department, and all the faculties from
whom we have learned a lot.

Last but not the least, we would like to thank our colleagues, friends, and our parents who were
constant and willing sources of encouragement and inspiration for us throughout the project.
 ABSTRACT

Concrete is a premier construction material consisting of natural aggregate. Due to rapid

industrialization and constructions in developing country like India, natural resources are
depleting constantly. Search of alternative material for making concrete is a prime need in present
scenario. Environmental issues; restrictions on local & natural access or sources and dispose of
waste material are gaining great importance. Coarse aggregate is a major ingredient for making
concrete for various types of construction works, including infrastructure development, low and
high-rise buildings and domestic developments. It occupies about 65-80% part of concrete.
Coconut Shell is a waste, generated by industrial and agricultural processes, and has created
disposal and management problems that pose serious issues of environmental pollution. The waste
coconut shell may be utilized to replace natural coarse aggregate. In present study, compressive
strength of concrete of M - 20 grades has studied by replacing natural coarse aggregates at 0%, 5%,
10%, 20% and 30%, by weight with coconut shell. Compressive strength of coconut shell concrete
has been evaluated on 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The compressive strength of coconut shell concrete
was reduced as percentage replacement increased. Concrete mixtures were tested and compared in
terms of compressive strength of the conventional concrete. The study result shows that Coconut
Shell Concrete (CSC) can be used as light weight concrete. Use of Coconut Shell as a substitute of
aggregate will not only is cost effective and eco friendly, but also help to resolve the problem of
shortage of conventional material such as coarse aggregate. Use of such materials also reduces the
problem of disposal of waste material.
 INDEX

Sr. Page
Content
No.
no

1 CHAPTER 1:

1.1 INTRODUCTION 06

2 CHAPTER 2 :

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW 09

3 CHAPTER 3:

3.1 METHODOLOGY 13

4 CHAPTER 4:

4.1 REFERENCES 19
 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1GENERAL

Utilization of concrete is increasing at a very high rate due to infrastructural development

activities in the world. Concrete is one of the world’s most widely used construction material.
In addition, Concrete is the second most consumed substance in the world after water.
Approximately ten billion tons of concrete is produced every year. Annual production
represents one ton for every individual on the planet . There are some negative impacts of
more production of concrete like continuous extensive extraction of aggregate from natural
resources will lead to its depletion and ecological imbalance . So many researchers are in
search of replacing coarse aggregate to make the concrete economical and to extend
sustainable development . This environmental reason has generated a lot of concern in the
infrastructural development world. The role of sugarcane bagasse, wood chips, plastic waste,
fabric waste, polyethylene, rice husk ash, rubber tires, vegetable fibers, paper and pulp
industry waste, vegetable fibers, paper and pulp industry waste, peanut shell, waste glass,
broken bricks are some cases of replacing aggregates in concrete . Therefore, there is a need
to explore and to find out suitable replacement material to substitute the natural stone.
Coconut shell has high strength and modulus properties. Coconuts are being naturally
available in nature and since its shells are non-biodegradable; they can be used readily in
concrete, which may fulfill almost all the qualities of the original form of concrete. In
developed nations, the construction industries have identified many artificial and natural
lightweight aggregates (LWA) that have replaced conventional aggregates thereby reducing
the size of structural members. Coconut shell is categorized as light weight aggregate. The
coconut shell when dried contains cellulose, lignin and ash in varying percentage . The
purpose of this research is to disseminate awareness of using coconut shell as partial
replacement of coarse aggregate in concrete and determining its compressive strength

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 COCONUT SHELL

Coconut is grown in more than 100 countries. India is the third largest, having cultivation in
an area of about two million hectares for coconut production. Yearly output is close to
approximately 8000 million nuts with an average of 4300 nuts per hectare. The coconut
industry in India accounts for over a quarter of the world's total coconut oil output and is set
to grow further with the global increase in demand. Never the less, it is likewise the primary
contributor to the nation's pollution problem as a solid waste in the form of shells, which
involves an annual production of approximately 3.18 million tonnes. It also presents serious
disposal problems for a local environment, is an abundantly available agricultural waste from
local coconut industries. Coconut shell being a difficult and not easily degrade material if
crushed to the size of sand can be a likely material to substitute sand. At present, coconut
shell has also been burnt to produce charcoal and activated carbon for food and carbonated
drinks and filtering mineral water use. The chemical composition of the coconut shell is
similar to wood. It contains 33.61% cellulose, 36.51% lignin, 29.27% and ash at 0.61%. In
developing countries, where abundant coconut shell waste is discharged, these wastes can be
used as potential material or replacement material in the construction industry. This will
receive the dual advantage of reduction in the monetary value of construction material and
also as a means of disposal of wastes. Collection and processing of coconut shell is shown in
figure

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As the construction industry is rapidly growth in the world today, the use of concrete increase
because the concrete is the widely used structural material. A higher demand involves the higher
needs for course aggregate. The development of construction industry also would be considered as
the factors that cause the increase of waste production. Hence, some alternatives must be
established because of the economic, environmental and technological benefits. In this study a
potential exists for the use of coconut shells as replacement of course aggregate in concrete
production because its chemical composition is similar to wood. The use of coconut shells as a
replacement for course aggregates should be encouraged as an environmental protection and
construction cost reduction.

-1.1 Properties of coconut shell which may make it suitable coarse aggregate for concrete are:

1. Its high lignin content that makes the composites more weather resistant.
2. Coconut shell is high potential material due to its high strength and modulus properties.
3. Its low cellulose content due to which it absorbs less moisture as compared to other
agricultural waste.

-1.2 Advantages of coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete

1. The versatility of coconut fibers and its applications in different branches of engineering,
particularly in civil engineering as a construction material.

2. Not only the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of coconut fibers are shown; but
also properties of composites (cement pastes, mortar and/or concrete etc), in which coconut
fibers are used as reinforcement, are discussed.

3. Coconut fibers reinforced composites have been used as cheap and durable non structural
elements.

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-1.3 Disadvantages of coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete

1. Very sensitive with water content in the mixtures

2. Difficult to place and finish because of the porosity and angularity of the aggregate.in
some mixes the cement mortar may separate the aggregate and float towards the surface

4. Mixing time is longer than conventional concrete to assure proper mixing

-1.4 Objective of study

If light weight concrete structure can be obtained from coconut shell, which is easily available in
nature, it would be a great achievement for the local construction industries. The main purpose of
using coconut shell as coarse aggregate is for light weight concrete.

1. To accomplish that the strength properties of concrete in replacement of coarse aggregate.

2. To accomplish that the behavior of compressive and split tensile strength.

3. To produce the light weight concrete for structures.

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 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 GENERAL

Various technical papers on utilization of coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete have been
presented at research from which we reffered many papers for study.
Reviews of these papers are given below.

2.2 REVIEW OF RESEARCH PAPER

Amarnath and Ramachandrudu: studied the various effect of fly ash on concrete with coarse
aggregate partially replaced with coconut shell aggregate. It was carried out that coarse aggregate
which was replaced with equivalent weight of fly ash had no noticeable influence when compared
to the properties of corresponding coconut shell replaced concrete.

O. T Olateju: made a study on the periwinkle shells as the substitute for conventional aggregate in
construction work. He casted 300 concrete cubes each of size of 150X150X150 with different
compositions of crushed granite and periwinkle shells. The composition order he followed was
100:1, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 100:0. He tested and observed the physical and mechanical
properties.

Dewanshu Ahlawat et al: (2014) Found out through his investigation that coconut shell can be
used as partial replacement of conventional course aggregate. He concluded that as the percentage
of shell aggregate was increased the compressive strength of the concrete was decreased.

B. Damodhara Reddy ET al: (2014) was conducting a study on use of coconut shell as a
replacement of conventional course aggregate in concrete. He used coconut shell as light weight
aggregate in concrete. His work was aimed analyzing and Compressive strength properties of M30
grade concrete. His work was also aimed towards showing the potential of coconut shell as
construction material and it can also reduce the undegradable problem of coconut shell.

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Amarnath Yerramala et al: (2012) studied the properties of coconut shell as the concrete material
control concrete with normal aggregate two mixes made up of concrete share and fly ash

In this study the concrete properties like compressive strength water absorption and modulus
property were observed. The main focus of the study was to provide as much data or information
that collected properties or strength of coconut shell. The results that carried out of this study were
as add coconut shell the workability of concrete decreased and in addition of fly ash in place of
cement or aggregate this increased the workability of coconut shell. In addition of coconut shell
the compressive strength and split tensile strength also decreased.

Yashida Nadir, A. Sujatha: (2018) Have done various experiments to check the properties of
coconut shell as aggregate. They also added some of the extra admixture such as blast furnace flag
and fly ash instead of the cement to test the durability of such concrete. The specimens were
casted from the material and various experiments were performed for testing the durability. Many
characteristics like water absorption resistance chemical attack test and sorptivity. There were
four concrete mixtures first one was control mix, in this 18.5% of the coarse aggregate was
replaced by coconut shell by weight.

In second one 18.5 of coconut shell used as aggregate and 30% fly yes was used instead of
cement and 15% of the cement was replaced by ground granulated blast furnace slag . Study
carried out various results that all mixture work comparable to concrete and the durability
properties over scene increasing why adding minerals at mixtures

Olanipekun, Olusola and Atia: investigated the strength characteristics of concrete in which
crushed granular coconut and palm kernel shells were used as the substitutes for conventional
coarse aggregate in gradation of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. It was carried out that as the
percentage of the shell increased in the mixture the compressive strength of the concrete decreased
and the concrete who had coconut shell as aggregate exhibited more strength than the concrete
with palm kernel shells in two mix proportion.

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2.3 SUMMARY

From literature survey it can be seen that experimental work done on the utilization of coconut
shell as coarse aggregate in concrete fundamental details of the papers, we can say that the
coconut shells are easily available in nature with huge amount. Coconut shell can use as
replacement of coarse aggregate in concrete or we can say that coconut shell can use as greener
concrete. Coconut shell is non degradable agricultural waste. If waste is used as construction
material in the form of coarse aggregate in concrete, it can lead to disposal of a large amount of
waste. Coconut shell provides light weight concrete. It is much useful for low cost construction
due to the concrete structure is economic and the disposal problem will be solved. The purpose of
this study was to demonstrate the benefits of utilizing coconut shell in concrete. If the house is
constructed of natural materials, it will give a cooler environment. Because the coconut shell has
an air chamber, it can naturally cool and reduce heat. This helps to lower indoor temperatures,
which eliminates the need for energy-intensive air conditioners. Its eco friendly product.
Recycling and reusing waste effectively thus protecting the environment from possible pollution
effect. Coconut shell aggregate have lower density.

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 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

The procedure of methods used for testing concrete, cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and
coconut shell are given below:

A. Material and Grade of Mix

1. Selection of type of grade of mix design by an appropriate method, trial mixes, final mix
proportions.

2. The amount of concrete required to the whole project.

3. The amount of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and coconut shell required for the
project.

4. Testing of properties of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and coconut shells.

4.1. PRODUCTION OF CONCRETE MIXES

Production of mix (normal concrete of grade M20) in the experiment is carried out by IS method
of concrete mix design. Coconut shell concrete is made by replacing some of the concrete with
coconut shells in various percentages.

3.2 TEST ON INGREDIENTS MATERIALS

The ingredients of coconut (cement, fine aggregate, coconut shell) tested before producing
concrete. For conducting various tests on the concrete's ingredients and materials, the
corresponding Indian standard codes are used.

A. Grade of Concrete
M20 grade of concrete was considered in this experimental work. Nominal concrete is designed as
per IS 456:2000 and concrete mix is designed as per IS 10262-1982. As per IS code 456:2000
M20 grade of concrete is adopted for experimental work. The concrete mix proportion is 1:1.5:3
(cement: fine aggregate: coarse aggregate) by volume and water cement ratio of 0.50.

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B. Mixing of Materials

Concrete is mixed with required proportion. In this experiment coconut shell is used in place of
coarse aggregate. Proper mixing of materials is necessary to produce the uniform coarse aggregate.
The mixing should be homogeneous, uniform in colour and consistency. The replacement
percentage of coarse aggregate by coconut shell aggregate are 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%
and 35% respectively.

C. Casting of Cubes

After mixing of material, concrete mix is fill in the cube mould and cylinder mould the compact
the concrete to remove the air voids from concrete mix. Compaction is done by hand or vibrators.
Presence of air in the concrete will reduce the strength of concrete cubes and cylinders. Sizes of
cubes are (150mm x 150mm x 150mm).

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D. Curing of Cubes and Cylinders

After moulding cubes and cylinders are kept in wet for certain time to proper curing of specimen.

Durability of concrete is increase by proper curing. Due to proper curing shrinkage is reduced.
Due to high water absorption of coconut shell, they were presoaked in water for for 24 hours.

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Coconut shells produce light weight concrete structure. Coconut is locally available in Kerala in
huge amount. It would be great achievement for the local construction industries. The main
purpose of using this solid agricultural waste coconut shell as coarse aggregate for light weight
concrete structure.

A. Test Results For Compressive Strength, Split Tensile Strength And Flexural Strength

Table 4.1:- Results with 5% replacement of coconut shell aggregate

Mechanical Property 7 days 28 days

Compressive strength (N/mm2) 17.5 22

Split tensile strength (N/mm2) 1.08 2.32

Flexural strength (N/mm2) 1.94 2.25

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Table 4.1 shows the observed value of compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural
strength with 5% replacement of coarse aggregate as coconut shell aggregate. The cement content
was taken 383 kg/m3.
Table 4.2:- Results with 10% replacement of coconut shell aggregate

Mechanical Property 7 days 28 days

Compressive strength (N/mm2) 16.5 22

Split tensile strength (N/mm2) 1.21 2.52

Flexural strength (N/mm2) 2.02 3.11

Table 4.2 shows the observed value of compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural
strength with 10% replacement of coarse aggregate as coconut shell aggregate. The cement
content was taken 386kg/m3.

Table 4.3:- Results with 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% replacement of coconut shell aggregate

Mechanical Property @ 28 days 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Compressive strength (N/mm2) 24.4 20.2 20.6 21.4 21

Split tensile strength (N/mm2) 2.55 1.92 2.44 2.44 2.42

Flexural strength (N/mm2) 2.80 2.3 3.1 3.22 3.30

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Table 4.3 shows the observed value of compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural
strength with 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% AND 35% replacement of coarse aggregate as
coconut shell aggregate. The cement content was taken 387, 389, 391, 392, 394kg/m3 respectively.

Variation of compressive strength after 28 days with the replacement percentage of coconut shell
aggregate was between 5-15%. It shows that the compressive strength value was approximately
near to the target mean strength value of M20 grade of concrete. The compressive strength varies
from 25 to 21 N/mm2 for 0% to 35% replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell
aggregate.

According to experiment observed that the split tensile strength value was near to target mean
strength value when percentage replacement of coarse aggregate as coconut shell aggregate is
between 5-15%. The split tensile strength varies from 2.80 to 2.42 N/mm2 for 0% to 35%
replacement of coarse aggregate as coconut shell aggregate.

The flexural strength varies from 3.15 to 3.30 N/mm2 for 0% to 35% replacement of coarse
aggregate with coconut shell aggregate. Experiment shows that flexural strength value was near to
target mean strength value when the replacement percentage is between 5-15%. According to test
after 15% replacement of coarse aggregate by coconut shell aggregate the strength value of
concrete is decreased.

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 CHAPTER 4: REFERENCES

1 .K.Gunasekaran, P.S.Kumar (2008). “Lightweight Concrete Using Coconut Shells as

Aggregate” Proceedings of International Conference on Advances in Concrete and Construction,
ICACC-2008 7-9 February, 2008, Hyderabad, India pp 450-459

2 .Amarnath Yerramala Ramachandrudu C, Properties of Concrete with Coconut Shells as

Aggregate Replacement, International Journal of Engineering Inventions, vol.1, Issue 6, October
2012.

3 .Davoud Tavakoli1, Masoumeh Hashempour2 and Ali Heidari2 “Use of waste material in
concrete” Pertanika J. Sci. & Technol. 26

4 .Gopal Charan Behera, Ranjan Kumar Behera, Coconut Shell as Coarse Aggregate, International
Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), vol.2, Issue 6, June – 2013.

5 .Vishwas P. kulkarni, Sanjay Kumar B.Gaikwad.(2013).Comparative study on Coconut Shell

Aggregate. International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT).67-70

6 . Dr. B. Rajeevan & Shamjith KM “A study on the utilization of coconut shell as coarse
aggregate in concrete.” International Journal of engineering Research & Technology (IJERT),
ISSN; 2278-0181 volume 4 issue 07, July-2015.

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