By: Netram Malviya and Harsh Rathore
1Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Sanjeev Agarwal Global Educational University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
2Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Sanjeev Agarwal Global Educational University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Abstract
This study explores the development of a coconut shell concrete (CSC) mix design using the
ACI211.298 guidelines, targeting a compressive strength of 20 MPa for structural applications. Due
to the organic and flaky properties of coconut shell (CS), achieving the initial target strength of 40
MPa was challenging, necessitating a focus on optimizing mix proportions for a 20 MPa goal. The
research investigates three different mixes with varying percentages of ground granulated blast
furnace slag (GGBFS) (0%, 25%, and 50%) while adjusting the water-to-binder ratio (w/b) and the
coarse-to-fine aggregate ratio (C/F). The compressive strength performance of each mix was
evaluated under three curing methods: water curing, steam curing, and conceal curing over 7 and 28
days. Results indicate that Mix1 (0% GGBFS) achieved the highest strength of 30.1 N/mm² under
conceal curing, while Mix3 (50% GGBFS) displayed the lowest gains. Conceal curing consistently
produced superior long-term strengths across all mixes, while steam curing favored early strength
gains but lagged in later stages. The findings demonstrate the influence of GGBFS content and curing
methods on CSC’s performance, offering insights into sustainable concrete solutions using alternative
materials.
Keywords: Coconut shell concrete, ground granulated blast furnace slag, compressive strength,
sustainable construction, eco-friendly concrete
Citation:
Refrences:
- Abdullahi M, Mattarneh HMAA, Mohammed BS. Equations for mix design of structural LWC. European Journal of Scientific Research, 2009;31(1):132141.
- ACI 211.298. Standard practice for selecting proportions for structural lightweight concrete (reapproved 2004).Michigan: American Concrete Institute; 1998.
- ACI 213R14. Guide for structural light weight aggregate concrete. Michigan: American Concrete Institute; 2014.
- ACI 31814. Building code requirements for structural concrete and commentary. Michigan: American Concrete Institute; 2014.
- BS EN 130551. Specification for lightweight aggregates for masonry units and structural concrete.London: British Standards Institution; 2002.
- BS EN 199211. Eurocode 2, Design of concrete structures, Part 11, General rules and rules for Building. London: British Standards Institution; 2004.
- Carrasco MB, Hornung F, Ortner N. In Proc. Green Concrete Technologies towards a Sustainable Concrete Industry Conference, Doha, Qatar. 2010. p. 63.
- Erdem S, Felekoglu FD. Application of modified Bolomey equation to highstrength concrete: A modified version of Bolomey equation. Construction and Building Materials, 2007;21(3):441447.
- Ferrara L, Restuccia L. Mechanical properties and durability of structural lightweight concrete made with sintered fly ash aggregates. Materials and Structures, 2007;40(4):345356.
- Ibrahim RK, AlHassani AA. Effect of mineral admixtures on the properties of concrete containing lightweight aggregate. Journal of Construction and Building Materials, 2010;24(4):566570.
- Ismail I, AlKhalidi KSR. Evaluation of strength and permeation properties of lightweight concrete with industrial waste. Journal of Building and Construction Technology, 2009;11(2):7888.
- Janjic D, Pecur D. Mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene lightweight concrete with different proportions of coarse aggregate. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2007;29(3):202209.
- Mohamed HM, Hamad SH. Effect of recycled concrete aggregate and synthetic fibers on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 2014;68:3238.
- Nikbin IM, Mirhosseini MM. Effect of nanoSiO2 on the properties of lightweight concrete containing pumice aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 2011;25(2):291295.
- Sadek DM, Ibrahim HM. Properties of lightweight concrete containing recycled plastic aggregates. Construction and Building Materials, 2014;69:231239.
- Sahu AK, Singh SK. Mechanical properties of concrete incorporating ceramic tiles as partial replacement of coarse aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 2015;78:218224.
- Shafigh P, Mahmud HB, Jumaat MZ, Zargar M. Structural lightweight aggregate concrete using natural pumice as aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 2014;34:149156.
- Silva RV, de Brito J, Dhir RK. The influence of aggregate on the properties of concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 2015;78:169181.