Experimental Studies on the Suitability

of Coconut Shell as a Filler Material

in Concrete Cubes

Renuka Sai Gadekari, Sreevalsa Kolatayar, and Rajesh Kumar Chitrachedu

Abstract Globally, the consumption of concrete is raising high. The production of

cement raises the carbon footprint and causes depletion of non-renewable resources.
Researchers are formulating new technologies to save the resources, energy for the
next generations, to reduce disposal problems and to make the product or structure
economical. For this purpose, recycled waste and treated natural materials, etc., are
used as a substitute for cement, aggregates, or reinforcement. This paper presents
studies conducted to analyze the performance of a coconut shell as a filler. The mate-
rial used in the present study was naturally available, cost-free, and non-toxic mate-
rial. The strength performance of different concrete cube specimens with coconut
shells in their different orientations was assessed by conducting compressive strength
tests. From the results, the effective position and orientation of the shell in the concrete
cube were found out.

Keywords Compressive strength · Orientation · Rebound hammer ·

Construction · Impact value

1 Introduction

There is a depletion of river sand and aggregates mined from rock quarries that are
used as raw materials in manufacturing concrete. Nowadays many waste materials
can be reused in manufacturing composite materials. Coconut shell is a strong, natu-
rally available, and eco-friendly material. The untreated shell resists decay and there
will be less loss in the strength even though the shells are thrown into a garden

R. S. Gadekari
Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Tirupati, India
S. Kolatayar (B)
National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Mangalore, India
e-mail: sreevalsa@nitk.edu.in
R. K. Chitrachedu
Ashoka Institute of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad, India

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021 45

S. K. Shukla et al. (eds.), Smart Technologies for Sustainable Development,
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 78,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5001-0_4
46 R. S. Gadekari et al.

compost. It is a high potential material for the development of new composites

because of their high strength. Agunsoye et al. [1] revealed that the crushed coconut
shell can be used in casting new metal matrix composites to ameliorate the strength,
resistance toward bad weather, etc.
The rough texture and hardness of coconut shell provide high impact strength
to the composites in which it has been used as a filler material. Keerthika et al. [2]
observed that the tensile strength, hardness, breaking strength, and specific gravity
of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber can be efficiently increased with the use of coconut
shell powder as a filler material. Coir fiber and coconut shell powder together provide
good stiffness and flexural strength [3] to pelletized polyethylene waste. Agunsosoye
et al. [4] found that the rough texture of the powdered coconut shell improves the
properties like the hardness of polyethylene waste and reduces the porosity by acting
as a filler material.
Related to innovations in pavement materials with products of coconut shell Jeffry
et al. [5, 6] carried out studies on nano-charcoal coconut shell ash (NCSA) in bitumen.
NCSA improved the performance of bitumen in resisting fatigue cracks and rutting.
Aminah et al. [7] conducted tests and concluded that the coconut shells can produce
lightweight concrete and reduce the cost of construction by replacing coarse aggre-
gate with coconut shells. Coconut shell aggregate can be treated only for water
absorption, as other treatments were not required. Kukarni and Gaikwad [8] observed
no bond failure in the test specimens as there will be adequate bonding between the
coconut shell aggregate concrete and the steel bars. Research work conducted by
Ahlawat and Kalurkar [9] proved that the CS aggregates can be effectively used in
reinforced concrete construction. The percentage increase of CS powder as a filler
material in concrete gives high split tensile strength [10]. Gunasekaran et al. [11,
12] carried out various experiments to understand the behavior of coconut shells
as aggregate in concrete. Some of the conclusions drawn from their research work
are lower wood–cement ratio results in weaker bonds between wood and concrete
matrix. The present paper discusses the direct usage of coconut shells as a filler
material.

2 Materials

2.1 Coconut Shell

Coconut shells were collected from Palakkad, Kerala, India. Some of the coconut
shells have a small hole at its crown part, and some are without a hole. The thickness
of shells varies from 2 to 4 mm, height 50 to 70 mm, and diameter 70 to 110 mm.
Shells were dried in the sunlight to remove moisture from it.
Experimental Studies on the Suitability of Coconut Shell … 47

Table 1 Mechanical
S. No. Property Value (%) Reference
properties of coconut shell
1 Impact value 9.01 IS: 5640–1970
[14]
2 Crushing value 2.76 IS: 2386 Part
IV–1963 [15]
3 Abrasion value 1.50 IS: 2386 Part
IV–1963 [15]

2.1.1 Physical and Mechanical Properties

Important properties like moisture content and water absorption tests were conducted
to know the physical properties of the coconut shell. As there are no separate test
procedures for coconut shells to find the above properties, the shells were crushed
into small pieces of size 2–10 mm. Then the standard procedures available to test
coarse aggregate were used. The moisture content came out to be 3.92% as per IS:
2386 Part III–1963 [13] and water absorption was 19.87%.
The mechanical properties of coconut shells, like impact, crushing, and abrasion
values, were found to measure the resistance of shell toward impact loads, gradually
applied load and wear, respectively. The values are tabulated in the following Table 1.

2.1.2 Compressive Strength Properties

The shell is tested under the universal testing machine (UTM) with different orien-
tations to know the maximum load taken by the shell and to study the failure pattern
of the shell. The different orientations of the shell are shown in Fig. 1.
After a number of trials, it is observed that the coconut shell (with hole-crown up),
i.e., CSHU will take a load of about 7 kN. The load taken by shells in their different
orientations is shown in Table 2. The failure of a coconut shell with a hole (Fig. 2) is
safe as the crack will extend up to the hole and it stops. As there is no material at the
hole the load will not pass through the other half shell. The failure of coconut shell
without a hole occurs at the crown part and the failure will be sudden.

2.2 Plain Concrete

A normal M25 mix has been used to cast all concrete cubes. Based on specific gravity,
water absorption, the total moisture content of coarse and fine aggregates, and by
considering mild exposure conditions, the proportion of mix was 1:1.821:2.766 as
per IS: 10262–2009 [16]. Ordinary Portland Cement of 43 grade, river sand, and
mined quarry coarse aggregates were used in casting cubes. The concrete cubes of
48 R. S. Gadekari et al.

Fig. 1 a Coconut shell (with hole-crown up) CSHU. b Coconut shell (with hole-crown down)
CSHD. c Coconut shell (without hole-crown up) CSU. d Coconut shell (without hole-crown down)
CSD

Table 2 Load-bearing
S. No Type and orientation Maximum load (KN)
capacity of coconut shells in
their different orientations 1. CSHU 7.29
2. CSHD 4.12
3. CSU 5.28
4. CSD 2.68

Fig. 2 Failure pattern of

coconut shell with a hole
Experimental Studies on the Suitability of Coconut Shell … 49

Table 3 Different concrete cubes

S. No. Type of concrete cube Position of shell in the Designation
concrete cube
1. Normal – – N
2. CS infilled with concrete Crown up Top SCHUT
with a nominal cover of Bottom SCHUB
25 mm
Crown down Top SCHDT
Bottom SCHDB
3. Hollow shells with no Crown up Bottom SHUB
nominal cover Crown down Top SHDT

150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were cast with a nominal cover of 25 mm for concrete
infilled shells and no cover for hollow shells.

3 Different Orientations of Coconut Shell in Concrete

Cubes

The casting of concrete cubes carried out by placing CS of both types in different
orientations. Three sets of concrete cubes were cast. From the compressive testing
of the coconut shell, it was clearly observed that the shell having holes had shown
the best results. Due to this reason, all concrete cubes were cast by placing coconut
shells with a hole. As placing a hollow concrete shell with the crown up in top portion
and crown down in the bottom portion is not possible in site conditions, these two
patterns were not cast. The details of different concrete cubes are given in Table 3
and are shown in Fig. 3.
About 42 concrete cubes were cast with the above-specified positions and orien-
tations to analyze the compressive strength of concrete cubes for 7 days and 28 days
of curing period.

4 Results and Discussion

4.1 Rebound Hammer Test

Rebound hammer test, a non-destructive test was done as per the standard procedure
specified in IS: 13311 (Part 2)–1992. The compressive strength of concrete cubes was
measured from the rebound number. The calibration chart given by the equipment
manufacturer was used to measure the compressive strength. The results are presented
in Table 4.
50 R. S. Gadekari et al.

Fig. 3 a CS crown down in bottom portion of cube (DB) (CS infilled with concrete). b CS crown
down in top portion of cube (DT) (CS infilled with concrete or hollow CS). c CS crown up in bottom
portion of cube (UB) (CS infilled with concrete or hollow CS). d CS crown up in top portion of
cube (UT) (CS infilled with concrete)

Table 4 Compressive strength of concrete cubes from Rebound Hammer test

S. No. Specimen details 28 days compressive strength (MPa)
1. N 25
2. SCHUT 16
3. SCHUB 24
4. SCHDT 12
5. SCHDB 18
6. SHUB 26
7. SHDT 15

From the above results, it can be seen that the cubes in which shell was in the
bottom portion shown high compressive strength. The hollow shells and shells infilled
with concrete gave almost the same strength. But, the failure pattern of different
concrete cubes was not known with a rebound hammer test. To observe this and to
find the reason behind the strength, compression tests were performed.

4.2 Compressive Strength Tests

Figure 4 shows the 7-day compressive strength and Fig. 5 shows the 28-day compres-
sive strength of different specimens as specified in Table 3. From the above compar-
ison charts, it can be clearly seen that the specimen with crown up shell at its bottom
Experimental Studies on the Suitability of Coconut Shell … 51

Fig. 4 Compressive strength of different specimens (7 days cured)

Fig. 5 Compressive strength of different specimens (28 days cured)

portion provided higher compressive strength. The infilled shell concrete cubes did
not show much good results than the hollow shell concrete cube. While testing,
different failure patterns were observed.
While performing the compressive strength test of concrete cubes having CS, it
was observed that the shell took the load which was transferred from concrete to CS
after the formation of the first crack. As discussed earlier in Sect. 2.1.2, the concrete
shell can withstand up to a load of around 7 kN. It can be observed clearly that due
to the presence of CS, the crack took a path as seen in Fig. 6. This indicates that the
concrete cubes with CS are satisfying the serviceability criteria. The hollow shells
in the concrete cube with crown up in the bottom portion showed the best results
52 R. S. Gadekari et al.

Fig. 6 Failure pattern of

SHUB

as the shell at that position acted as filler material and are load-bearing blocks.
As these blocks are cost-effective, provides an aesthetic appearance, high strength
than conventional concrete cubes, and good thermal insulation, these can be used in
constructing structural elements like beams and slabs.

5 Conclusion

This study introduced a coconut shell which is a sustainable and low-cost material as
a potential filler in concrete cubes. The effective shell orientation and its position in
the concrete cube were effectively evaluated for its applicability as a filler material
in structural members. It was concluded that the average compressive strength of
SHUB and SCHUB concrete cubes was higher. This showed that infilling the shells
with concrete does not make much sense. By placing the hollow shells in structural
members, the overall cost of construction reduces as the quantity of cement, coarse
and fine aggregates will be saved with the inclusion of CS. Further investigation will
pave the way for the incorporation of CS in structural members like beams and slabs.

References

1. Agunsoye JO, Talabi SI, Bello SA, Awe IO (2014) The Effects of cocos nucifera (coconut shell)
on the mechanical and tribological properties of recycled waste aluminium can composites.
Tribol Ind 36(2):155–162
2. Keerthika B, Umayavalli M, Jeyalalitha T, Krishnaveni N (2016) Coconut shell powder as
cost effective filler in copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene rubber. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
130:1–3
Experimental Studies on the Suitability of Coconut Shell … 53

3. Kuburi LS, Dauda M, Obada DO, Umaru S, Dodoo-Arhin D, Iliyasu I, Mustapha S (2017)
Effects of Coir Fibber loading on the physio-mechanical and morphological properties
of coconut shell powder filled low density polyethylene composites. Procedia Manufact
7:138–144
4. Agunsosoye JO, Isaac TS, Samuel SO (2012) Study of mechanical behaviour of coconut shell
reinforced polymer matrix composite. J Miner Mater Character Eng 11:774–779
5. Jeffry SNA, Jaya RP, Abdul Hassan N, Yaacob H, Satar MKIM (2018) Mechanical performance
of asphalt mixture containing nano-charcoal coconut shell ash. Constr Build Mater 173:40–48
6. Jeffry SNA, Jaya RP, Hassan NA, Yaacob H, Mirza J, Drahman SH (2018) Effects of
nanocharcoal coconut-shell ash on the physical and rheological properties of bitumen. Constr
Build Mater 158:1–10
7. Aminah S, Tukiman, Sabarudin M (2009) Investigate the combination of coconut shell and
grained palm kernel to replace aggregate in concrete: a technical review. In: The proceedings
of national conference on postgraduate research (NCON-PGR), 1st October 2009, UMP
Conference Hall, Malaysia, 2009
8. Kukarni PV, Gaikwad SKB (2013) Comparative study on coconut shell aggregate with
conventional concrete. Int J Eng Innov Technol 2(12):67–70
9. Ahlawat D, Kalurkar LG (2015) Performance of coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete:
a review. Int Res J Eng Technol 2(4):1096–1100
10. Leman AS, Shahidan S, Nasir AJ, Senin MS, Mohd Zuki SS, Wan Ibrahim MH, Azhar ATS
(2017) Properties of concrete containing coconut shell powder (CSP) as a filler. IOP Conf Ser
Mater Sci Eng 271(1):1–8
11. Gunasekaran K, Kumar PS, Lakshmipathy M (2011) Mechanical and bond properties of
coconut shell concrete. Constr Build Mater 25(1):92–98
12. Gunasekaran K, Kumar PS, Lakshmipathy M (2011) Study on properties of coconut shell as
an aggregate for concrete. Nat J Ind Concr Inst 12(2):27–33
13. IS: 2386 (Part III)–l963, Indian standard methods of test for aggregate for concrete, Part III
specific gravity, density, voids, absorption and bulking
14. IS: 5640–1970, Indian standard method of test for determining aggregates impact value of
soft coarse aggregate
15. IS: 2386 (Part IV)–1963, Indian standard methods of test for aggregate for concrete, Part IV
mechanical properties
16. IS: 10262–2009, Indian standard concrete mix proportioning—guidelines (first Revision)