THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STRENGTH OF CONCRETE MADE FROM LOCALLY SOURCED AGGREGATE USING PALM KERNEL, PERIWINKLE AND COCONUT SHELL

ABSTRACT

The high cost of conventional building materials is a major factor affecting housing delivery in Nigeria. This has necessitated research into alternative materials of construction. This paper presents the results of an investigation carried out on the comparative cost analysis and strength characteristics of concrete produced using crushed, granular coconut and palm kernel shells as substitutes for conventional coarse aggregate in gradation of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100. Two mix ratios 1:1:2 and 1:2:4 were used. A total of320 cubes of size 100100100mm were cast, tested and their physical and mechanical properties determined. The results of the tests showed that the compressive strength of the concrete decreased as the percentage of the shells increased in the two mix ratios. However, concrete obtained from coconut shells exhibited a higher compressive strength than palm kernel shell concrete in the two mix proportions. The results also indicated cost reduction of 30 and 42 for concrete produced from coconut shells and palm kernel shells, respectively. Considering the strength/economy ratio, it was concluded that coconut shells were more suitable than palm kernel shells when used as substitute for conventional aggregates in concrete production. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Palm kernel shell PKS, periwinkle shell PS and coconut shell CS are not commonly used in the construction industry but are often dumped as agricultural wastes. However, with the quest for affordable housing system for both the rural and urban population of Nigeria and other developing countries, various proposals focusing on cutting down conventional building material costs have been put forward. One of the suggestions in the forefront has been the sourcing, development and use of alternative, nonconventional local construction materials including the possibility of using some agricultural wastes and residues as construction materials.

PKS and CS, both of which belong to the family of palm shells, while PS is a shell but not of the palm fruit but all are agricultural waste products obtained in the processing of palm oil and coconut oil, respectively, and are available in large quantities in the tropical regions of the world, most especially in Africa, Asia and America.

In Nigeria, both are available in large quantities in the southern part of the country. Previous studies by Ogedengbe, Nuhukoko, Olateju, Falade, Omange, and Ayangade et al. have shown that PKS is suitable as granular filter for water treatment, as a suitable aggregate in plain, light and dense concretes and as a road building material. Apart from its use in production offi breroofing material, the other possibility of using CS as an aggregate in concrete production has not been given any serious attention. However, Adeyemi investigated, for one mix ratio 1:2:4 the suitability of CSs as substitute for either fine or coarse aggregate in concrete production. It was concluded that the CSs were more suitable as low strengthgiving lightweight aggregate when used to replace common coarse aggregate in concrete production.

This paper presents the results of an investigation carried out on the comparative cost analysis and strength characteristics of concrete produced using crushed, granular coconut and PKSs as substitutes for conventional coarse aggregate. The main objective is to encourage the use of these seemingly waste products as construction materials in lowcost housing. It is also expected to serve the purpose of encouraging housing developers in investing in house construction incorporating these materials.

1.2. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

At the end if the project, it is expected that the following objectives will be achieved.

The strength of different selected aggregate on concrete will be known

The choice of concrete to select in any construction can easily be determined

The cost of production of the concrete will be known.

1.3. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

The purpose and aim behind the research of this project topic is to determine and analysis the strength of some selected aggregate for concrete. The knowledge of this will assist a construction engineer to make an accurate selection of concrete to use in any construction that he wants to embark on. With this knowledge at hand, the mistakes of using the wrong concrete for a job which in most cases leads to collapse will be avoided.