Coconut Shells as a Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete

J.S. Dela Rosaa, S.F. Gonzalesb, M.A. Libanc, R.F. Maped, F.P. Pagunuran, R.J.O. Torrese, S.A.B. Zingapanf

College of Engineering
Cagayan State University – Carig Campus
a
jaymarkdelarosa0011@gmail.com, bsharleengonzales@yahoo.com, cmarkangeloliban@yahoo.com,
d
richelfmape@gmail.com,e t_ricojohn@yahoo.com, fzshaneallely@gmail.com

Abstract
Cost of construction building materials have great factor in the construction industry due
to its high price. The coarse aggregates are one of the most important ingredients in concrete. It
will necessitate investigating a natural waste material like coconut shells that may be used as
coarse aggregate in concrete. Utilizing coconut shells as aggregates resulted to a lightweight
economical material in construction field and help protecting the environment from pollution and
conserving its natural resources.

1. Introduction

Concrete is widely used for buildings structures and
made by mixing cement, sand, fine aggregate and
coarse aggregate. The demand for construction
materials is increased due to infrastructural
development around the world [1].
1.1 Background of the Study
Modern type of living nowadays leads to higher
consumption of energies and resources. There is a
great demand in the supply of non-renewable
resources. Environment changes due to global
warming that affect the biodiversity. This changes
cause pressure of both economic growth and
environmental protection which people suffer the
most. Years passed several researches were
conducted to solve this problem.
Philippines is mainly an agriculture country with a
land area of 13 million hectares, 47percent of it is
agricultural that produces agricultural wastes such as
rice husk, rice straw, coconut husk, coconut shell and
bagasse[2]. Coconut trees are abundance in
Philippines with their number approximately 500
million at the same time it is one of the most common
agricultural waste contributor in the environment.
Coconut wastes include coconut shells (1.8million
tonnes), coconut husks (4.1million) and coconut coir
dust.
Coconut shell is the strongest part covered in
coconut fruit. Coconut shell is located in between the
coconut flesh and coconut husk. This shell is
naturally created to protect the inner part of coconut.
It has a good durability characteristics, high
toughness and good abrasion resistant properties.
This shell is considered as a waste material that can
cause waste disposal crisis in our environment. This
natural material can produce various creative
handmade handicrafts due to its strength. By this
shell, we can create different designs of lamps; we
can also produce kitchen utensils etc. It also used to
make charcoal which is used as fuel and far better
than other charcoals.
1.2. Objectives
The main purpose of this study is to determine the
feasibility of coconut shells as coarse aggregates.
Specifically, it aims to answer the following
objectives:
 To study the compressive property of
concrete with coconut shell as an aggregate.
 To assess the utility of coconut shells as a
coarse aggregate.
 To prove that the coconut shells as a
concrete admixture can be used as
lightweight economical material.

CE4B. J.S. Dela Rosa, S.F. Gonzales, M.A. Liban, R.F. Mape, F.P. Pagunuran, R.J.O. Torres, S.A.B. Zingapan.
Coconut Shells as a Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete. Page 1 of 3.
1.3. Conceptual Framework This study will guide the future researches
to relate their topic that helps for better
The diagram shows the property of Coconut Shell outcome of their study.
Reinforced Concrete with the combinations of
cement, fine and coarse aggregates and coconut 3. PEOPLE
shells. This study will inform the people about
the coconut shells as light-weight concrete.
Cement Coarse Fine
Aggregate Aggregate 4. ENVIRONMENT
This study will contribute an idea to
conserve natural resources and to minimize
waste materials.

Coconut 1.6. Scope and Limitations

Concrete Shell
It focuses on the study of coconut shell as partial
replacement of coarse aggregate in concrete. It aims
to study the compressive strength of concrete with
CSRC
coconut shell as coarse aggregate and is used as light-
Carry-out further
weight concrete for economical civil engineering
investigation on Coconut
Shell materials.

Compressive 1.7 Definition of Terms

Strength

Concrete

Failed In its simplest form, concrete is a mixture of paste

Passed and aggregates, or rocks. The paste, composed of
portland cement and water, coats the surface of the
fine (small) and coarse (larger) aggregates. Through a
1.4. Hypothesis chemical reaction called hydration, the paste hardens
and gains strength to form the rock-like mass known
1. There is no significant difference between as concrete [3].
concrete with and without coconut shells in
terms of compressive strength. Curing
2. Concrete structure will be more economical
Curing begins after the exposed surfaces of the
using coconut shells as admixture.
concrete have hardened sufficiently to resist marring.
3. The higher the percentage of coconut shells
Curing ensures the continued hydration of the cement
in the concrete mixture the higher its
so that the concrete continues to gain strength.
compressive strength.
Concrete surfaces are cured by sprinkling with water
1.5. Significance of the Study fog, or by using moisture-retaining fabrics such as
burlap or cotton mats [4].
1. RESEARCHER
Coarse Aggregates
This study will enhance the capability of
the researcher in gathering data,
Uncrushed gravel or stone is the result of natural
collaboration of the group and unity to in
disintegration and crushed gravel or stone. As
fulfilling the objectives of the study.
mentioned earlier, coarse aggregates are stones that
are retained on 4.75mm sieve. Nearly all natural
2. FUTURE RESEARCHER
CE4B. J.S. Dela Rosa, S.F. Gonzales, M.A. Liban, R.F. Mape, F.P. Pagunuran, R.J.O. Torres, S.A.B. Zingapan.
Coconut Shells as a Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete. Page 2 of 3.
aggregates originate from bed rocks. There are three
kinds of rocks, namely, igneous, sedimentary and
metamorphic. In such, may properties of aggregates
depend on the properties of the parent rock itself [5].
[6]
Fine aggregates
Fine aggregate are basically sands won from the
land or the marine environment. Fine aggregates
generally consist of natural sand or crushed stone [7]
with most particles passing through a 9.5mm sieve.
As with coarse aggregates these can be from Primary,
[8]
Secondary or Recycled sources [6].
Cement
http://www.buildingresearch.com.np/service
s/ct/ct4.php
Concrete Credentials: Sustainability, MPA -
The Concrete Centre, 2010
http://www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk/top_
nav/what_is_concrete/aggregates.aspx
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cem
ent
© Illinois Tool Works Inc.
http://www.instron.us/en-us/our-
company/library/glossary/c/compressive-
strength

Cement is a material that's used to build very

strong, hard surfaces and structures. Cement begins
as a powder made of clay and limestone, and after it's
mixed with water and, often sand, it's used to
strengthen and bind things — as the mixture dries, it
becomes hard and solid [7].

Compressive Strength

Maximum stress a material can sustain under crush

loading. The compressive strength of a material that
fails by shattering fracture can be defined within
fairly narrow limits as an independent property [8].

References
[1] N.A. Sonawane and C.J. Chitte. ”Waste
Coconut Shell as Coarse Aggregate in
Concrete Mix.” International Journal of
Science and Research, Volume 5 Issue 4,
April 2016.s

[2] COPY RIGHT © 2007

http://www.courdehero.com/file/9956272/do
c-2/

[3] COPY RIGHT © 2017 Portland Cement

Association.
http://www.cement.org/cement-concrete-
basics/how-concrete-is-made

[4] http://www.cement.org/cement-concrete-
basics/how-concrete-is-made

[5] COPY RIGHT © 2017 Building Research

Institute (P) Ltd.
CE4B. J.S. Dela Rosa, S.F. Gonzales, M.A. Liban, R.F. Mape, F.P. Pagunuran, R.J.O. Torres, S.A.B. Zingapan.
Coconut Shells as a Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete. Page 3 of 3.
CE4B. J.S. Dela Rosa, S.F. Gonzales, M.A. Liban, R.F. Mape, F.P. Pagunuran, R.J.O. Torres, S.A.B. Zingapan.
Coconut Shells as a Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete. Page 2 of 3.