1. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online)TECHNOLOGY (IJARET) pp. 32-36, © IAEME
AND Volume 5, Issue 2, February (2014),
ISSN 0976 - 6480 (Print)
ISSN 0976 - 6499 (Online)
Volume 5, Issue 2, February (2014), pp. 32-36
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IJARET
©IAEME
EVALUATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND DENSITY OF COIR
CONCRETE
D.M. Parbhane1,
S.B. Shinde2
1
2
Post Graduate Student, JNEC, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Associate Prof. in Civil Engineering Dept, JNEC, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
ABSTRACT
Continuous extraction of aggregates from natural resources will lead to its depletion. This
paper presents an experimental investigation on the effect of adding coir on the compressive strength
and density of concrete. Forty five cubes were casted of M 20 grade of concrete.The compressive
strength of cured concrete was evaluated at 7, 14 and 28 days. Concrete produced by 1%, 2%, 3%,
4%, 5% replacement attained 28 days compressive strength of 22.23, 22.78, 22.97, 23.27, 19.63
respectively. The results showed that coconut coir concrete can be used in construction. Its usage in
the construction is ecofriendly and leads to sustainable development.
Keywords: Coconut fiber, Compressive Strength, Density, waste utilization, sustainable
development
INTRODUCTION
Concrete is the premier civil engineering construction material. Concrete manufacturing
involves the mixing of ingredients like cement, sand, aggregates and water. Among all these
ingredients, aggregates form the big share [1]. Inert materials such as sand, granite forms the major
part of aggregates. Traditionally, aggregates have been readily available at economic prices and in
different forms to suit all purposes [2]. However, the continuous extraction of aggregates from the
natural resources has been questioned because of the depletion of quality aggregates and greater
awareness of environmental protection. In light of this, non availability of natural resources to the
future generation has been realized [3]. The challenge in making light weight concrete is in
decreasing the density, while maintaining the strength and durability. Introducing different types of
light aggregates (Pumice, Taclite, Coconut shell, sawdust, coal slag, straw) into the mix design is a
common way to lower the density of concrete [4]. The crushed stone and sand are the components
that are usually replaced with light weight aggregates to produce light weight concrete.Coconut coir
32

2. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 2, February (2014), pp. 32-36, © IAEME
has good durability, high toughness, abrasion resistance; hence it is suitable for long standing use [5].
Utilization of Coconut fiber as addition to concrete aggregate will be an important step towards
sustainable development. The study on replacing waste material in concrete is not new. In India, 90%
coconut production is in South India. Tamil Nadu leads in coconut production in India because of
high productivity of soil [6].
METHODOLOGY
•
•
•
•
Selection of grade of concrete, method of mix design, trial mix and final mix proportions.
Estimating total quantity of concrete required.
Estimating quantities of cement, water, sand and coarse aggregates.
Evaluating the physical properties of ingredients of concrete.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Cement: Ordinary Portland cement, conforming to I.S 12269-1987[10] is the most commonly used
binder for the concrete production. The standard consistency was 29%.The initial and final setting time
was 55 mins and 270 mins respectively. The specific gravity of cement was 3.14.The basic field tests on
cement were conducted.
Fine Aggregate: River sand, conforming to Grading Zone- II as per I.S 383-1970[11] was used in the
study. The bulk density, specific gravity and fineness modulus of sand were determined. The sand was
air dried and sieved to remove any foreign material, prior to mixing.
Coarse Aggregate: Crushed granite stone and coconut shell were used as coarse aggregate. Various
physical and mechanical properties of coarse aggregates were checked and they included bulk density,
specific gravity, water absorption, aggregate impact test, crushing test, abrasion test,particle size
distribution.
Coconut Fiber: Coconut fibers were collected from the local temples, cleaned, sun dried, removed dust
to analyze its properties. Coconut fibers require no pretreatment, except for water treatment. Coconut
fiber has high water absorption. Due to this property, coconut fibers were pre soaked in potable water for
24 hours.
Water: Potable water was used for mixing and curing. The permissible limits were checked as per the
I.S 456-2000[12].Water should be free from oil, salt, sugar, acid, alkali. The quality of water is
important because contaminants can adversely affect the strength of concrete and cause corrosion of
steel reinforcement.
Physical Property
Max.size
Moisture Content (%)
Water Absorption (%)
Specific Gravity
Impact Value (%)
Crushing Value (%)
Abrasion Value (%)
Bulk Density(kg/m3)
Fineness Modulus
Coconut Coir
2
10
0.87
1825
-
Coarse Aggregate
12.5
0.25
2.8
11.2
6.5
1.9
1650
2.73
33
Fine Aggregate
2.6
1600
2.80

3. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 2, February (2014), pp. 32-36, © IAEME
PRODUCTION OF CONCRETE MIX
The production of concrete mix of M-20 grade of concrete is done in the laboratory. For mix
design, I.S 10262-1982[9] method was used. Coconut coir concrete is produced by adding coconut
fibers in different percentage (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%).The ingredients of concrete were tested
as per I.S codes. A total of 45 cubes were tested for compressive strength and density of concrete and
results were compared with conventional concrete.Batching is done as per mix proportioning.
Mixing is done in a tilting machine mixer. The mixing time is 2-3 minutes after mixing of water.
Compaction is done by tamping rod and table vibrator. Concrete cubes are left for 24 hours to set.
After 24 hours, cubes are demoulded with spanners and placed in curing tank. It is being cured in
potable water at room temperature for a period of 7, 14 and 28 days. After 28 days, these cubes are
removed from curing tank and are ready to be tested for compressive strength test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Compressive Strength:
Compressive strength is defined as resistance of concrete to axial loading. Cubes were placed
in Universal Testing Machine (U.T.M), and load was applied. The readings on dial gauge were
recorded and compressive strength was calculated. The results of Compressive strength are shown in
Table 01.
Calculations: Compressive Strength = Maximum load/Cross Sectional Area
= P/A
Table 01. Compressive Strength of Coconut Coir Concrete (N/mm2)
Curing Days
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
07
14.41
14.89
15.26
15.38
15.62
13.36
14
19.46
20.12
20.58
20.72
20.98
17.89
28
21.51
22.23
22.78
22.97
23.27
19.63
Density: The results of density determination are shown in table 2.It is observed that as percentage
replacement increased, density of concrete increased [9],[10].
Table 02.Density of Coconut Coir Concrete (kg/m3)
Curing Days
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
07
2410
2432
2454
2467
2479
2493
14
2447
2471
2489
2509
2512
2530
28
2538
2562
2578
2594
2604
2621
34

4. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 2, February (2014), pp. 32-36, © IAEME
Bar Charts: The bar charts are drawn for compressive strength results. These are drawn between
compressive strength and percentage addition of coconut fiber concrete at 7, 14 and 28 days to
observe the variation of results.
28 Days
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
2
3
4
% of Coir
5
6
14 Days
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
1
2
3
4
5
6
% of Coir
7 Days
16
15
14
13
12
1
2
3
4
% of Coir
35
5
6

5. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 2, February (2014), pp. 32-36, © IAEME
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It is concluded that
• Increase in percentage addition by coir increased compressive strength. But,if coir added is
5%,then strength decreases.
• Coconut Fiber increased the density of Concrete.
The following recommendations are made at the end of the study.
• Effect of different admixtures can be studied on Coir Fiber Concrete
• Evaluating Bond Strength of Coir Fiber Concrete
• Coconut Coir- Cement compatibility
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