EFFECT OF COCONUT SHELL ASH AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR PORTLAND CEMENT IN COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND WORKABILITY OF CONCRETE

Abstract

The price of cement used in concrete construction has been steadily increasing, making it less affordable, even though the demand for housing and other construction projects continues to rise with population growth. The production of cement has a major environmental impact because it releases large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. To address these issues, use of industrial waste and alternative materials to cement and concrete has been encouraged. This not only lowers the demand for natural raw materials but also helps reduce environmental damage. As population and industrial activities increase, so doesthe amount of waste produce worldwide. The most effective ways to manage this growing waste problem is through waste reduction and reuse. Agricultural waste, such as coconut shells, is one example. Usually burned in the open to dispose, which harms the environment, these shells can be processed into ash and used as a pozzolanic material to partially replace Cement at levels of 0%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. In to present study, 32 concrete cubes are made and cured in water for 7 and 28 days. The compressive strength and water absorption characterstics were tested. The results showed that adding coconut shell ash improved both properties after 28 days, but only up to a certain percentage. Beyond that point, the benefits started to decline, indicating there's an ideal limit to how much ash should be used.