Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

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Materials Today: Proceedings

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Experimental investigation of eco-friendly building blocks utilizing

coconut shells
K. Vignesh Kumar a, C. Daniel a, *, V. Amudhan a, S. Kapilan b, E. Arunraj c
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai 603103, India
b
Department of Civil Engineering, Akshaya College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 642109, India
c
Department of Civil Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore 641114, India

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In the construction of structures, cement is commonly utilized as a construction material. The high cost of
Building blocks conventional building materials has a significant impact on the structure’s economy. Synthetic lightweight
Alccofine aggregate manufactured from environmental trash is a potential new source of structural aggregate material, as
Coconut shell
concerns about the over use of natural aggregates develop. As more natural resources from the earth’s surface are
Sustainable
Compressive strength
used, they are becoming deficient. Alccofine is a new generation micro fine concrete material for high Strength
which is important in respect of workability as well as strength. As a result, the coconut shell is being investi­
gated as a partial substitute for coarse aggregate in building blocks then cast it. The compressive strength, slump,
and density of concrete are all evaluated. In the concrete building blocks, the replacement of cement with an
Alccofine by 5% and the replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell by 0%, 50%, 100%. As the per­
centage of replacement increased, it was seen that the slump was getting worse. The density also drops as the
proportion of replacement rises. The compressive strength is demonstrated to decline as the percentage
replacement increases.

1. Introduction were cast in five different replacement percentages: 20%, 40%, 60%,
80%, and 100%. Compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths were
This Along with the normal population growth, waste products have tested on all specimens after 7 and 28 days. All of the 20%, 40%, 60%,
become more diverse and numerous. Numerous waste products that and 80% replacements showed a gradual increase in strength; however,
don’t degrade will remain in the environment for hundreds or even the 100% replacement showed a decline in strength. The Highest Per­
thousands of years. Non-decaying waste products contribute to envi­ centage of Successful Replacement [1]. Utilizing the cockle shells to
ronmental problems by leading to a catastrophe in trash disposal. The partially replace coarse and fine aggregates in order to reduce the need
impact on the environment can be reduced, though, by using this for natural fine aggregate Use 100% natural coarse and fine aggregate in
rubbish in more environmentally friendly ways. This is known as the plain concrete. Mix Using Cockle Shells as A Partial Replacement for
Waste Hierarchy. Its objective is to reduce, reuse, or recycle waste, with Coarse Aggregates Crushed crab shell mixture used to replace some of
recycling being the preferred method of doing. Synthetic lightweight the fine aggregate. The increase was caused by the replacement of nat­
aggregate manufactured from environmental trash is a potential new ural coarse aggregate with crushed conch shell at a level of 25% and fine
source of structural aggregate material, as concerns about the over use of aggregate at a level of 10% [2]. In the current study, the compressive
natural aggregates develop. As more natural resources from the earth’s strength of concrete of classes M-20 has been investigated by
surface are used, they are becoming more and scarcer. As a result, the substituting coconut shell for natural coarse particles at weights of 0,
coconut shell is being investigated as a partial and fully substitute for 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Concrete made from coconut shells has had its
coarse aggregate in concrete. The compressive strength, slump, and compressive strength tested after 7, 14, and 21 and 28 days. Concrete
density of concrete are all evaluated. In this, we are casting the concrete made of coconut shells can be used to make lightweight concrete. Use of
building blocks to evaluate above mention items. Examines the out­ coconut shell as an alternative to aggregate is not only economical but
comes of replacing some of the river sand with seashells. Then, cubes also environmentally good [3]. The requirement for housing and other

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: danielckarunya@gmail.com (C. Daniel).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.08.208
Received 14 March 2023; Received in revised form 8 August 2023; Accepted 19 August 2023
2214-7853/Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 2023 International
Conference on Advanced Technologies in Chemical, Construction and Mechanical Sciences.

Please cite this article as: K. Vignesh Kumar et al., Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.08.208
K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 1 Table 4
Properties of the Cement. Properties of the Alccofine.
Description Cement Description Alccofine
Specific gravity 3.15 Specific gravity 2.82
Soundness(mm) 8 Water absorption (%) 0.65
Compressive Strength(Mpa) 13.78 Fineness 13.20
Initial setting time(min) 49 Bulk density (loose) in kg/l 1.24
Moisture content (%) 4.7 Bulk density (rodded) in kg/l 1.32
Bulk density (loose) in kg/l 1.467
Bulk density (rodded) in kg/l 1.489

Table 5
Table 2 Properties of the Coconut shell.
Properties of the M-sand. Description Alccofine
Description M-Sand
Specific gravity 1.69
Specific gravity 2.59 Water absorption (%) 6.17
Water absorption (%) 1.09 Durability (%) 98.6
Water content (%) 14 Moisture content (%) 5.12
Fine modules 3.9 Bulk density (loose) in kg/l 1.24
Porosity bulk 39.6 Bulk density (rodded) in kg/l 1.32
Porosity closed packing 27.4
Bulk density (loose) in kg/l 1.349
Bulk density (rodded) in kg/l 1.492 using coconut shells as aggregate in concrete can save construction
costs. Coconut shell concrete can be used in rural areas and locations
where coconuts are plentiful, as well as in locations where the cost of
Table 3 using conventional aggregates prohibits their use. Concrete made from
Properties of the Coarse aggregate. coconut shells is categorized as lightweight structural concrete [6]. In an
experimental investigation, the characteristics of concrete with coarse
Description Coarse Aggregate
aggregate made from coconut shell were examined. Impact resistance,
Specific gravity 2.68
bond strength, splitting, flexural, and compressive tensile strengths, as
Water absorption (%) 52
Water content (%) 4 well as other properties, were tested and compared to the theoretical
Bulk density (loose) in kg/l 1.419 values advised by the standards. In order to investigate the effects on the
Bulk density (rodded) in kg/l 1.497 flexural and splitting tensile strengths and impact resistance of coconut
shell concrete, two alternative water-cement ratios for the chosen mix
have been taken into consideration. The pull-out test was used to
buildings that require cement is expanding along with the population,
determine the bond characteristics. For the chosen mix, the experi­
despite the fact that its price is rising and making it expensive. As a
mental bond strength of coconut shell concrete is significantly greater
result, it is necessary to identify substitute binding materials that may be
than the projected bond strengths provided by BS 8110 and IS 456:2000
used fully or in part to replace cement. Various replacement amounts of
[7]. The use of various fibers into concrete suggests that these fibers
0, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of OPC were used to create concrete
improve concrete’s inherent qualities. The type of fibers employed in the
cubes. 54 cubes in all were created and allowed to cure in water for 7,
concrete matrix affects both the design and the structural reactions. The
14, and 28 days, respectively. Determined were attributes such
viability of using coconut shell as an aggregate and for structural and
compressive strength, density, setting times, and pozzolanic activity
non-structural components in concrete has recently been established,
index. Concrete cubes for 10 to 15 percent replacement had densities
and its attributes have been documented. In this essay, the consequences
exceeding 2400 kg per m3, and their compressive strength rose from
of adding coconut fiber to concrete made from coconut shells are
12.45 N/mm2 at 7 days to 31.78 N/mm2 at 28 days [4].This experi­
examined. We experimented with coconut fibers with aspect ratios of
mental study sought to measure the effects of using coconut shell in
16.67, 33.33, 50, 66.67, 83.33, and 100, as well as volume fractions of 1,
place of some of the conventional coarse aggregate while making con­
2, 3, 4, and 5%. For conventional concrete, the maximum compressive
crete. The research was split into two halves. The primary goal of the
strength was obtained at an aspect ratio of 83.33 and a volume per­
first part was to monitor how this replacement affected the compressive
centage of 3%; for coconut shell concrete, it was at an aspect ratio of
strength and density of concrete. The second part’s goal was to deter­
66.67 and a volume fraction of 3%. The inclusion of coconut fibers
mine how much extra cement would be needed to make up for the
raised the flexural strength of conventional concrete by 30.63% and
decreased strength of the concrete caused by this replacement. It was
coconut shell concrete by 53.66%. Similar increases were made in the
discovered that when the proportion of coconut shells increased,
split tensile strength of 19.44% and 30%, respectively [8]. In compari­
Compressive strength is decreasing. Results showed that concrete’s 7
son to standard control concrete, the shear behavior of a reinforced
days compressive strength decreased by 62.6% with coconut shell
concrete beam constructed from coconut shell is examined. Eight beams
replacing 40% of the conventional coarse aggregate, but only by 21.5%
were constructed and tested, four of which used coconut shell concrete
over the course of 28 days. A 40% replacement reduces the weight of the
and the other four regular control concrete. The study involves stresses
concrete by 7.47% [5] (Table 1Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, Table 5,
in concrete and reinforcement as well as structural shear behavior, shear
Table 6).
capacity, cracking behaviors, deflection behavior, and ductility. Similar
Three distinct concrete mixes, M20, M35, and M50 Grade, will be
to other lightweight concretes, coconut shell concrete exhibits a similar
replaced, each with a different combination of natural materials and CS
shear behavior. The findings of concrete compression strain and steel
content in the proportions of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. Each
tension strain shown that under shear loadings, coconut shell concrete is
concrete mix will have six sample specimens made. Compressive
able to reach its maximum strain capacity. However, compared to
strength behaviour of cube specimens for 7 and 28 days will be tested as
control concrete beams, the failure zones of the coconut shell concrete
a parameter. The potential for using coconut shells as a lightweight
were greater [9].
aggregate in concrete. Additionally, due to its low cost and accessibility,
Aggregates have historically been easily accessible at reasonable

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 6
Mix Proportion.
Sample Materials Mix proportion (In Percentage by Mass)

Cement Fine Aggregate Coarse Replacement in cement by Alccofine Replacement in Coarse Aggregate
Aggregate

S1 Conventional 20% 30% 100% 0 –

S2 Coconut Shell 19% 30% 100% 1% 0
S3 Coconut Shell 19% 30% 50% 1% 50%
S4 Coconut Shell 19% 30% 0 1% 100%

rates and in quality to suit various needs. However, due to the depletion proportion, which ranges from 0% to 30%, improves workability and
of high-quality primary aggregates and growing environmental protec­ water absorption but degrades compressive strength. Coconut shell is
tion consciousness, the excessive mining and use of aggregates from suitable for use as a coarse aggregate in concrete due to its favorable
natural resources has been called into question. A few studies have microstructural characteristics, which also have an impact on concrete.
shown that coconut shells, an agricultural by-product, can also be used Approximately 20% to 25% of replacements are suitable to replace
as aggregate in concrete. These studies replaced various alternative coarse aggregate after taking into account all parameters based on
waste materials and industrial by-products, such as fly ash, bottom ash, investigation [14].
recycled aggregates, foundry sand, China clay sand, crumb rubber, and The outcomes of employing two materials as a substitute for river
glass, with natural aggregate and investigated the properties of the sand and coarse aggregate, namely Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) and
concrete [10]. The purpose of this study is to create paver blocks out of coconut shell. The greatest advantages of substituted materials used in
palm and coconut shells. All places, particularly tropical ones, have easy cement, which has material consistency, have been discovered by
access to materials like palm and coconut shell. As a result, palm and several investigations. The strong waste qualities of waste-infused con­
coconut shells are cast into the paver blocks, which replace the coarse crete and cement, which undergo shrinkage from drying out, are the
aggregates at a rate of 20% and 40%, respectively. It is a product that is subject of the current observation. For coconut shells, the replacement
affordable and is utilised by low-level individuals as well. Utilizing palm levels were 10% and 20%, while for waste foundry sand, they ranged
and coconut shells is regarded as one of the waste management pro­ from 10% to 30%. The experimental results are clear in terms of the
cesses. Various techniques are utilised to repurpose the agricultural strength, which rises when WFS is used while falling when coconut
wastes. It is regarded as a useful technique for recycling palm and co­ shells is raised. Concrete that shrinks as a result of drying out is included
conut shell since it results in a minor drop in the price of construction in the waste material and exhibits more drying shrinkage than regular
materials. This outcome demonstrates the use of natural resources. concrete [15]. The results show that lightweight concrete made from
These paver blocks are utilised in a variety of settings, including gar­ coconut shells may be utilized for non-structural, strip footings, and non-
dens, low-traffic areas, and locations where the least amount of weight is load bearing parts. By using such sustainable, effective methods and
applied. Depending on their compressive strength, these settings may using these leftover coconut shell materials, environmental issues may
vary. However, this study also discovered that this method of producing also be reduced [16]. The current study seeks to determine the effects of
paver bricks benefits both the manufacturer and the consumer finan­ adding glass fiber to sustainably produced concrete that uses silica fume
cially [11]. 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the cement is as a partial replacement for cement and coconut shell added in a variety
substituted by CSA (coconut shell ash). It is determined the compressive of ratios to replace coarse aggregate on mechanical and durability
strength of concrete and mortar created with CSA. In terms of wear loss, characteristics. Different mixtures were created using coconut shell in
the abrasion resistance of concrete samples from two different mix de­ place of coarse particles in varying percentages. In all concrete mixes,
signs is determined. On CSA concrete samples, a drop weight impact test Portland cement was replaced with silica fume at levels of 5%, 10%,
was also performed, and it was shown that the number of blows per 15%, and 20% by cement weight. Glass fiber volume ratios used in this
strike increased. The drop weight impact test and abrasion resistance investigation were 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%. Glass fibers partially
provide a sense of how coconut shell ash concrete would respond in improve concrete density before slightly decreasing the density of co­
situations where there may be a rapid impact of load or when the con­ conut shell concrete. The compressive, flexural, and split tensile
crete surface is regularly subjected to abrasion. It is determined that CSA strengths of coconut shell concrete grow as the amount of glass fibers
can substitute cement up to 10% of the time and perform well in tests for does. The lab results show that glass fibers may be added to coconut shell
abrasion resistance and drop weight impact. Concrete pavement, such as concrete to improve its mechanical and durability properties, enabling
that used on some roads, airport runways and hangars, and some in­ the creation of easily sustainable concrete with enough strength [17].
dustrial floors, can be constructed with CSA concrete [12]. One of the main factors influencing the availability of homes throughout
Many researchers are working to find alternatives to all of the con­ the world is the high cost of traditional building materials. Research into
ventional components required in the creation of concrete, including alternate building materials has become necessary as a result. Coconut
cement, fine and coarse aggregate, and even water for a diner. These shell is employed as a lightweight aggregate in concrete in this study.
factors have led to the development of several specific concretes that The usage of coconut shell aggregate in building is tested, as well as the
may be used in building settings with unique needs. Many scholars first characteristics of coconut shell and coconut shell aggregate concrete.
proposed using coconut shell as coarse aggregate in place of traditional The project paper’s analysis of the flexural and compressive strength
coarse aggregate for the manufacture of concrete around ten years ago. characteristics of partially replaced structures made of M30 grade con­
The positive findings from their own parameter experiments. The goal of crete is its main goal. Additionally, the project intends to demonstrate
the authors is to compile all of the coconut shell concrete’s results in one the potential of coconut shell aggregate as a building material while also
location. Thus, a significant review study on using coconut shell as a addressing the issue of solid waste in the environment. Beams are cast,
coarse aggregate in concrete happened and was presented all at once for put through testing, and have their mechanical and physical charac­
the benefit of the civil engineering communities [13]. The goals of this teristics identified. The major goal is to promote the use of these
study are to evaluate the impact of coconut shell inclusion in concrete on “apparently discarded goods” as building materials for affordable homes
the microstructural features as well as the efficacy of coconut shell as a [18].
replacement for coarse aggregate on engineering parameters including In the current work, coconut shell is investigated as a potential
strength, water absorption, and workability. The replacement partial substitute for coarse aggregate in concrete. It was discovered that

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

the concrete that had ground coconut shell was durable in terms of its only in terms of grain size or particle size, but not from clays that contain
resistance to wet, acidic, alkaline, and salty environments. Coconut shell organic materials. M-sand is beneficial for building because it produces
has a density between 550 and 650 kg/m3, which is within the permitted strong, pliable concrete. The coarse texture and large concentration of
ranges for lightweight aggregate. The current investigation assessed the micro-fine particles are drawbacks. However, because M-sand is effi­
typical features of concrete, including compressive strength, flexural cient, affordable, and ecological, the majority of construction companies
strength, impact resistance, bond strength, and split tensile strength, are now utilizing it.
utilizing a mix created by substituting crushed coconut shells for coarse
aggregate [19]. Studies on the properties of concrete that replaced the
aggregate with coconut shells were conducted. Both control concrete, 2.3. Coarse aggregates
which included normal aggregate, and coconut shells concrete, which
replaced 10–20% of the coarse aggregate with coconut shells, were Coarse aggregate is a type of building material produced from
created. To study the impact of fly ash on concretes prepared using ground-mined rock. For instance, river gravel, crushed stone from rock
coconut shells substitutes, two coconut shells and fly ash mixtures were quarries, and aged concrete are some examples of these ground deposits.
also created. For all the concretes, a constant water to cementations ratio The density of coarse aggregate is utilized in a variety of applica­
of 0.6 was kept. In the lab, researchers looked at characteristics tions, including determining aggregate requirements for concrete and
including compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, asphalt mix designs. The density of coarse aggregate is most commonly
and moisture migration. The findings demonstrated that as coconut defined using the specific gravity, also known as the relative density of
shells percentage is increased, concrete density declines. Workability the coarse aggregate. The relative density describes the density of the
declined as coconut shells substitution increased. Coconut shells con­ aggregate in comparison to the density of water.
cretes had lower compressive and split tensile strengths than control
concrete. Concretes with coconut shells substituted had greater levels of
permeable voids, absorption, and sorption than control concrete. When 2.4. Alccofine
compared to the qualities of the same coconut shells replaced concrete,
replacing coarse aggregate with an equivalent weight of fly ash had no Alccofine is a new generation, micro - fine material of particle size
effect [20]. much finer than other hydraulic materials like cement, fly ash, and
In the previously stated summary of literature, the coarse aggregate ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume, etc. being
in the concrete is replaced, and some of them also partially replace the manufactured in India. Alccofine has special attributes to enhance the
cement. However, no one has ever done the concrete building block with performance of concrete in the fresh stage & hardened stage because of
the combination of partially replacing the cement, so in this article, the its optimized particle size distribution. Alccofine can be utilized as a
coarse aggregate in the concrete building block is replaced by 0%, 50%, practical option for Silica as it has optimum particle size distribution not
or 100% with the combination of partially replacing the cement by 5%. too finer, not too coarse. Alccofine is produced in completely controlled
conditions with special types of equipment.
2. Material and Methodology

Ordinary Portland cement, Potable Water, M- Sand, Crushed Coarse 2.5. Coconut shell
Aggregates, Coconut Shell and Alccofine as Mineral Admixture were the
materials employed in this investigation. The traditional crushed coarse Waste coconut shells were gathered for this study from the grounds
aggregate was partially replaced with waste coconut shell. The section of numerous temples in Chennai, where coconuts are used to worship
after this one includes information on the materials utilized. Hindu deities. After being sun dried for 30 days, the coconut shells’
outer layer was hand broken. Hammer use was used to reduce the size of
2.1. Cement the shells as per the requirement of the experiments. After being sun
dried for 30 days, the coconut shells outer layer was hand broken.
In this study, regular Portland cement of grade 53 was employed as Hammer use was used to reduce the size of the shells. Shell was kept
depicted in figure Cement tests were conducted in accordance with the between 5 and 20 mm for use in concrete. It was submerged in water for
norms. Although it is an essential component of the construction in­ 24 h before using it as aggregate. The shell’s surface was rough on
dustry and serves an important purpose, cement nevertheless has sig­ convex faces and rather smooth on concave faces. The engineering
nificant drawbacks. The objectives is to lower the amount of cement characteristics of the study’s coconut shell are revealed. As can be seen,
used in construction. the minimum and maximum ranges of particle size allowed by Indian
Cement is the most significant radiant because it acts as a binding Standards are met by coarse aggregate and coconut shell aggregate.
substance (having adhesive and cohesive properties). Cement is formed In more than 86 different nations, the coconut is grown. India is the
from pulverized clinker, which is mostly composed of liming, silica, world’s top producer, with a yearly output of 13 billion nuts. A sixth of
alumina, ferric oxide, as well as a few monoxides. the world’s coconut oil is produced by the Indian coconut industry,
Major and minor oxides are included in Portland cement’s chemical which is anticipated to grow in response to the expanding global de­
makeup. CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 are the primary oxides, while mand. However, it adds to the nation’s pollution issue as a solid waste in
MgO, SO3, and a few alkali oxides (K2O and Na2O) are minor oxides. the form of used coconut shells. Due to the rising demand, natural
Other compounds, such as P2O5, Cl, TiO2, MnO3, and so on, are also conventional aggregates are fast disappearing and becoming scarce. The
occasionally present these are the primary constituents of Portland alternative would be to use leftover coconut shells. Coconut shell can be
cement. The composition of these fundamental components is influ­ coarsely ground due to its unique characteristics. The dry coconut is
enced by the ratios of the basic raw material oxides. The basis for clas­ crushed and it can be directly used in the building block with the
sifying Portland cement into distinct types is how these main exception of water absorption. The steel bars and the concrete with
components really proportionately alter cement behavior. coconut shell aggregate had a strong connection. Coconut shell replaced
aggregates in concrete hollow block production with fiber and coconut
2.2. Fine aggregate as M-Sand shells. The study examined various coconut shell content percentages as
a partial replacement for conventional aggregate. The right quantity of
Fine aggregate is a granular material made up of finely fragmented coconut shell to concrete resulted in concrete that was strong enough to
rock and mineral particles that occurs naturally. It differs from gravel be used.

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 3. Coarse aggregates.

Fig. 1. Portland cement 53 grade.

Fig. 2. M-sand as fine aggregate.

3. Methodology
Fig. 4. Alccofine.

i) The Conventional concrete solid block. ii) The replacement of

and bottom. The thrust center of the spherically seated platen and the
cement with an Alccofine by 5% and the replacement of coarse aggre­
specimen axis must be exactly lined up. The moveable part should be
gate with coconut shell by 0%. iii) The replacement of cement with an
gently turned by hand when the spherically seated block is brought to
Alccofine by 5% and the replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut
bear on the ground. The load should be applied and elevated at a rate of
shell by 50%. iv) The replacement of cement with an Alccofine by 5%
roughly 140 Kg/m2.sec (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5.
and the replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell by 100%.
All until the specimen loses the ability to withstand the increasing
load. The maximum force applied to the specimen is recorded, along
4. Experimental investigation
with how the concrete appears and failure-type traits. The cubes are
taken for the compressive strength test on 7, 14 and 28 days.
Water-stored samples are retrieved from the water and while they
In the Fig. 6 concrete is poured in the block mould then it is com­
are still wet. Before testing, the dimensions and weight of the products is
pacting using tamping rod then it is finish using trovel in all moulds.
recorded. The specimen surfaces and the bearing surfaces of the testing
In the Fig. 7 concrete building building block is dismantled from
apparatus must be free of any loose sand or other debris that will come
block mould then put it in the curing tank for 7,14,28 days for test.
into contact with the compression platens. When working with blocks, it
As shown in Table 7. The coconut shell replacement is 0%, 50%,
is necessary to position the specimen in the machine such that the
100% as coarse aggregate in these 36 no of building block for 7, 14 and
weight is applied to the opposite sides of the blocks rather than the top

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 7
Casting Details of Building Block.
Specimen Materials Replacement (In No’s of Specimen for Test
Percentage by mass)
7 14 28
Days Days Days

S1 Conventional 0 3 3 3
S2 Coconut 0 3 3 3
Shell
S3 Coconut 50% 3 3 3
Shell
S4 Coconut 100% 3 3 3
Shell

Total 36

Fig. 5. Coconut Shell.

Fig. 6. Casting of specimens.

Fig. 7. Curing of building block in curing tank.

28 days of curing.

5. Result

As indicated in Fig. 8, the specimens are tested in a universal testing

machine to determine the compressive strength of the building block.
Using three specimens each test, typical concrete solid blocks were
tested for 7, 14, and 28 days. In the four examples listed below, the Fig. 8. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) – Compressive strength test.
outcomes were mentioned. Figs. 9 to 12 show how each case’s

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 9. Compressive strength for Conventional Concrete Solid block.

Fig. 10. Compressive strength for 0% Coconut shell replaced in CA & 5% Alccofine replaced in cement concrete block.

compressive strength is represented. A 100% replacement coconut shell Case III: 50% Coconut shell replaced in Coarse aggregate & Alccofine
has a maximum compressive strength of 3.9 N/mm2. The weight of Replaced in cement (Table 10)
conventional mix building block is 24 to 25 kg in the replacement of Case IV: 100% Coconut shell replaced as Coarse aggregate & Alc­
coconut shell as coarse aggregate the weight of the concrete block is 20 cofine Replaced in cement concrete block (Table 11)
to 21 kg.
6. Conclusion
Case I: Compressive strength for Conventional Concrete Solid block
(Table 8) The lightweight concrete to speed up building and improve the green
Case II: No Coconut shell replaced in Coarse aggregate and 5% Alc­ construction environment. It is feasible to make lightweight concrete by
cofine replaced in cement (Table 9) partially or fully substituting coarse aggregate with coconut shell. An
issue with disposal arises from the large creation of non-decaying waste

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 11. Compressive strength for 50% coconut shell replaced in CA & 5% Alccofine replaced in cement concrete block.

Fig. 12. Compressive strength for 100% Coconut shell replaced as Coarse aggregate & Alccofine replaced in cement concrete block.

Table 8
Compressive strength for Conventional Concrete Solid block 2.
7 Days 14 Days 28 Days

SI. NO Load (KN) Compressive Strength(N/mm2) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

1 360 6.1 416 7.06 460 7.86

2 353 5.9 429 7.15 472 8.01
3 364 6.3 401 6.98 486 8.24

Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 6.10 N/ Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 7.06 N/ Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 8.01 N/
mm2 mm2 mm2

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K.V. Kumar et al. Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 9
Compressive strength for 0% Coconut shell replaced in CA & 5% Alccofine replaced in cement concrete block.
7 Days 14 Days 28 Days
2 2
SI. NO Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm ) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm ) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

1 467.6 7.9 490.5 8.3 514.1 8.7

2 452.2 7.5 496.2 8.9 528.8 9.1
3 477.9 7.9 485.8 7.9 502.3 8.5

Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 7.9 N/mm2 Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 8.3 N/mm2 Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 8.7 N/mm2

Table 10
Compressive strength for 50% coconut shell replaced in Coarse aggregate & Alccofine replaced in cement concrete block.
7 Days 7 Days 7 Days

SI. NO Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

1 167 2.8 184 3.1 201.3 3.4

2 158 2.2 198 3.6 193.2 3.2
3 173 3.2 172 2.7 210.4 3.9

Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 2.8 N/mm2 Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 3.1 N/mm2 Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 3.4 N/mm2

Table 11
Compressive strength for 100% coconut shell replaced as Coarse aggregate & 5% Alccofine replaced in cement concrete block.
7 Days 7 Days 7 Days
2 2
SI. NO Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm ) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm ) Load (KN) Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

1 467.6 7.9 490.5 8.3 514.1 8.7

2 452.2 7.5 496.2 8.9 528.8 9.1
3 477.9 7.9 485.8 7.9 502.3 8.5

Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 6.10 N/ Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 7.06 N/ Average Compressive Strength(N/mm2) = 8.01 N/
mm2 mm2 mm2

coconut shell. Coconut shell has qualities that make it a viable compo­ Declaration of Competing Interest
nent for making concrete, and using it in concrete may help with the
disposal issue. In our research, coconut shell was used instead of coarse The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
aggregate on a volumetric basis. Coconut shells were used to replace 0%, interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
50%, and 100% of the coarse aggregate for casting the specimens, along the work reported in this paper.
with 5% replacement cement. According to the IS code, tests were
performed on the cast specimens after 28 days. The results of the fore­ Data availability
going tests suggest that replacing coarse aggregate in concrete con­
struction blocks with coconut shell increases workability and No data was used for the research described in the article.
compressive strength. The weight of conventional mix building block is
24 to 25 kg in the replacement of coconut shell as course aggregate the References
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