National Conference on Postgraduate Research (NCON-PGR) 2009

1st October 2009, UMP Conference Hall, Malaysia

Centre for Graduate Studies, Universiti Malaysia Pahang
Editors: M.M. Noor; M.M. Rahman and K. Kadirgama

INVESTIGATE THE COMBINATION OF COCONUT SHELL AND GRAINED

PALM KERNEL TO REPLACE AGGREGATE IN CONCRETE: A TECHNICAL
REVIEW
Siti Aminah Bt Tukiman and Sabarudin Bin Mohd
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Earth Resources, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300
UMP, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia; Phone: +6013-9836296
Email: ahbab_tengku@yahoo.com, sabarudin@ump.edu.my
Corresponding Author: ahbab_tengku@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Conventional coarse aggregate namely gravel and fine aggregate is sand in concrete will be
used as control. While natural material is coconut shell as course aggregate and grained
palm kernel as fine aggregate will be investigate to replace the aggregate in concrete. In
this studies, five different concrete mixes with different the combination of natural material
content namely 0%,25%,50%,75% and 100%.Three sample specimen will be prepared for
each concrete mixes. The parameters will be tested are flexural strength, compressive
strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, durability and deflection crack behavior.
The effect of using different length of natural material aggregate will also investigate. The
effect of aggregate content to workability will also examine. The expected outcome of the
study is the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel shell has potential as
lightweight aggregate in concrete. Also, using the combination of coconut shell and
grained palm kernel as aggregate in concrete can reduce the material cost in construction
because of the low cost and abundant agricultural waste.
Keywords: Coconut shell, Grained Palm Kernel shell, Aggregate, Coarse aggregate, Fine
aggregate.
INTRODUCTION
There were many experimental work conducted to improve the properties of the concrete
by putting new materials, whether it is natural materials or recycle materials or synthetic
materials in the concrete mix. The additional material can be replacing the aggregate,
cement or just as additive and one form of the additive is natural material. A large amount
of agricultural waste was disposed in most of tropical countries especially in Asia for
countries like Thailand, Philippine and Malaysia. If the waste cannot be disposed properly
it will lead to social and environmental problem. The high cost of conventional building
materials is a major factor affecting housing delivery in Malaysia. This has necessitated
research into alternative materials of construction. There is an increasing interest in what
happens to products at the end of their useful lives, so natural materials have an advantage
in that they can biodegrade or be burnt in a carbon-neutral manner. Natural material like
coconut shell and palm kernel shell are not commonly used in the construction industry but
still are often dumped as agricultural wastes. However, with the quest for affordable
housing system for both the rural and urban population of Malaysia and other developing
countries, various proposals focusing on cutting down conventional building material costs
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Siti Aminah Bt Tukiman and Sabarudin Bin Mohd

have been put forward. One of the suggestions in the forefront has been the sourcing,
development and use of alternative, non-conventional local construction materials
including the possibility of using some agricultural wastes and residues as construction
materials. As the natural fibers are agriculture waste, manufacturing natural product is,
therefore, an economic and interesting option. Coconuts show a wide diversity in size,
weight, shape and color, depending on genetic variety and maturity of the nut at harvest
(Ohler, 1999). Adeyemi, 1998 investigated, for one mix ratio (1:2:4) the suitability of
coconut shell as substitute for either fine or coarse aggregate in concrete production.
(Olanipekun et al., 2006) Investigated the comparative cost analysis and strength
characteristics of concrete produced using crushed, granular coconut and Palm kernel shell
as substitutes for conventional coarse aggregate. It was concluded that the coconut shell
were suitable as low strength-giving lightweight aggregate when used to replace common
coarse aggregate in concrete production.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
The target of the experimental program was to determine the contribution of natural
material aggregate type to the development of the strength behavior of the confined
concrete. The experimental program comprises the following:
a. To investigate the best mix proportion of the combination of coconut shell as course
aggregate and grained palm kernel as fine aggregate in concrete by the value of
strength per weight ratio of sample specimen.
b. To investigate the feasibility of the combination of coconut shell as course aggregate
and grained palm kernel as fine aggregate in concrete by determining its flexural,
compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, post deflection behavior
and durability.
c. To investigate the effect of the combination of coconut shell as course aggregate and
grained palm kernel as fine aggregate in concrete content and length to the workability
as lightweight aggregate in concrete and also the mechanical properties mentioned
above.
d. To determine the optimum content of the combination of coconut shell as course
aggregate and grained palm kernel as fine aggregate in concrete to improve the
ductility and does not cause reduction the compressive strength.
RAW MATERIALS
Coconut shell as coarse aggregate
The coconut shells were obtained from a local coconut field located in Kampung Kurnia
Kuantan Pahang. They were sun dried for 1 month before being crushed manually. The
crushed materials were later transported to the laboratory where they were washed and
allowed to dry under ambient temperature for another 1 month. The particle sizes of the
coconut shell range from 5 to 20 mm.

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Investigate the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel to replace aggregate in concrete: A technical review

Grained Palm Kernel as fine aggregate

Palm kernel shells were obtained was obtained in the already cracked and oil-extracted
form, the fibrous outer parts of the nut already removed. It was kept indoors in sacks for 2
months. It was washed and graded in accordance with the British Standard methods of
sampling, testing and sieve test of light weight aggregates for concrete. Other alternative,
the shells were will obtained directly from any factory as palm kernel shell supplier .The
palm kernel shell will be grain by the machine as fine aggregate. The particle diameter is
2.36 mm.
Other concrete mix components
Coarse aggregate
Coarse aggregates are materials retained on 5mm (3/16 inc) test sieve and containing only
so much finer material as permitted from the various sizes as specified by MS 29:1995 and
BS 410 and BS 882.Coarse aggregate may be described into three major part which are
uncrushed gravel, crushed stone or crushed gravel and partially crushed gravel when it is
the product of bending of uncrushed and crushed gravel. In this study, type sandstone
having maximum size of 15 mm was used as coarse aggregates (Ing, 2008).
Sand (fine aggregate)
Sand may be described into two major parts, which are natural sand and crushed stone or
crushing gravel sand. In this study, river sand and crushed sandstone with fineness
modulus of 1.78 (Ing, 2008), that passed through a 2.36 mm BS 410 test sieve was used.
The material used are having maximum particle size used was 2.36 mm diameter
(Olanipekun, 2006). It must be clean and not contaminated by lumps of clay or coating of
clay and also clean from salt ingredient. The concrete grade 30 will used and the detail of
mixed proportion are shown in table. Water cement ratio was kept constant at 0.5.For mix
ratios Cement: fine aggregate: coarse aggregate is 1:2:4
Table 1: Mix proportion of coconut shell in concrete
Mix Ratio
Control specimen
Sample A

1 (Cement) :
Cement
Cement

2(Fine Aggregate)
Sand
Sand

Sample B

Cement

Sand

Sample C

Cement

Sand

Sample D

Cement

Sand

Sample E

Cement

Sand

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4(Course Aggregate)
Gravel
80% Gravel +
20% Coconut shell
60% Gravel +
40% Coconut shell
40% Gravel +
60% Coconut shell
20% Gravel +
80% Coconut shell
0% Gravel +
100% Coconut shell

Siti Aminah Bt Tukiman and Sabarudin Bin Mohd

The value of strength of the specimen will be determined and then the strength per weight
value will be calculated. The graph percentage coarse aggregate versus strength/weight
will be plot and then the best mix proportion of specimen was analyzed.
Table 2: The sample of the table for the strength/weight result values.
Sample
A
B
C
D
E

Strength(N/mm2)

Weight (Kg)

Strength/weight

Strength/weight

% coconut shell + % gravel

The best or the maximum value of specimen sample will be taken and the coarse aggregate
content of the sample will be use for the next mix proportion experiment as the table
below.
The coarse aggregate content namely as X.
Table 3: Mix proportion of Grained Palm Kernel in concrete
Mix Ratio
Sample A

1 (Cement) :
Cement

Sample B

Cement

Sample C

Cement

Sample D

Cement

Sample E

Cement

2(Fine Aggregate) :
80% Sand +
20% Grained Palm Kernel shell
60% Sand +
40% Grained Palm Kernel shell
40% Sand +
60% Grained Palm Kernel shell
20% Sand +
80% Grained Palm Kernel shell
0% Sand +
100% Grained Palm Kernel shell

4(Course Aggregate)
X
X
X
X
X

Plot the graph percentage fine aggregate versus strength/weight and then analyze the best
mix proportion of specimen.

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Investigate the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel to replace aggregate in concrete: A technical review

Table 4: The sample of the table for the strength/weight result values.
Strength(N/mm2)

Sample
A
B
C
D
E

Weight (Kg)

Strength/weight

Strength/weight

% grained palm kernel shell + %

gravel
The best or the maximum value of specimen sample will be taken and will be use for the
next mix proportion experiment. The sample was choose is namely as SAMPLE Y (before
the lab testing)
Preparation of specimen
At least 3 specimens will be prepared for each parameter to be tested. The specimens are
prepared in accordance to BS 1881 Part 108:1983.The number of specimens will be
prepared is shown in table.
Table 5: The numbers of concrete specimen test for natural material aggregate in concrete
SAMPLE Y
Days
3
7
28
3
7
28

Experiment
Number of specimen
3
3
3
3
3
3

3
7
28

3
3
3

TENSILE
TEST
FLEXURAL
TEST

COMPRESSION
TEST
DURABILITY
TEST

12
TOTAL

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The gravel aggregate in concrete also will be tested only for 1 sample for each experiment
testing as control.
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Siti Aminah Bt Tukiman and Sabarudin Bin Mohd

Table 6: Durability test specimen (continue durability test from Table 1)

SAMPLE Y
Solution
Number of specimen
Sodium Hydroxide pH
3
12, 50g/l
Hydrochloride Acid pH
3
2, 20g/l
Sodium Chloride pH
3
8,20g/l
Water absorption
3
TOTAL SAMPLE
12
The gravel aggregate in concrete also will be tested for each experiment testing as control.
PROCEDURE
Experimental Plan
Raw materials
Cement

Aggregate
Coarse

Water
Fine

Coconut shell

Palm Kernel shell

Will be grain
into small size
Characterization
Aggregate
(15-20 mm)

Aggregate
(< 2.36 mm)

Figure 1: Flow chart of the raw material process

Figure 1 indicates the flowchart of the whole process of the raw material processes. The
raw material consists of aggregate, ordinary Portland cement and water. The aggregate was
divided into two types that are coarse aggregate and fine aggregate. The coarse aggregate
consists of coconut shell and crushed stone whereas fine aggregate consists of grained
palm kernel shell and normal sand. The ratio for each model was based on volumetric
method. Figure 2 shows an experimental design for evaluating the effectiveness of five
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Investigate the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel to replace aggregate in concrete: A technical review

different percentages on the performance of combination of coconut shell as coarse

aggregate and grained palm kernel shell as fine aggregate.

Grade 30
concrete
Mixing

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

Physical properties

Compacting factor, Vebe, Slump

Compressive
strength

Tensile
Strength

Flexural
Strength

Durability
Test

Figure 2: Flowchart of the concrete laboratory process

EXPECTED OUTCOME
Based on the literature review and research planning, the expected outcomes for the
research are:
a) Olanipekun et al. (2006) were investigated the comparative cost analysis and
strength characteristics of concrete produced using crushed, granular coconut and
Palm kernel shell as substitutes for conventional coarse aggregate. The main
objective is to encourage the use of these seemingly waste products as
construction materials in low-cost housing. It is also expected to serve the purpose
of encouraging housing developers in investing in house construction incorporating
these materials. The conclusions for the research are the compressive strength of
the concrete decreased as the percentage shell substitution increased. In all cases,
the Coconut shell concrete exhibited a higher compressive strength than Palm
kernel shell concrete in the two mix proportion tested. Both types of concrete
performed fairly equally well in terms of their water absorption capacities. In terms
of cost, the Palm kernel shell concrete appears to be cheaper. However, considering
the strength/economy ratio and expecting further studies on the durability
performance of both types of shell concrete, it could reasonably be concluded that

55

Siti Aminah Bt Tukiman and Sabarudin Bin Mohd

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

h)

i)

Coconut shell would be more suitable than Palm kernel shell when used as
substitute for conventional aggregates in concrete production
The results of this study from the literature review is the water absorption capacity
of the coconut shell was obtained are low value 6.17%, it is reasonable to conclude
that the shells absorb very little amount of mixing water during concrete production
(Olanipekun, 2005) .The values are of coconut shell within the range of absorpt ion
capacity of lightweight aggregates which have been put at 520% (Portland
Cement Association).
Also, the percentage replacement levels of the conventional coarse aggregate with
either coconut shell do not exceed 50%, for mix ratios tested. It showed that
concrete obtained from coconut shell exhibited a higher compressive strength in the
mix proportions. ( Olanipekun, 2005).
Ogedengbe,1985; Nuhu-koko, 1999; Olateju,1992; Falade,1992; Omange,2001 and
Ayangade et al., 2004 have shown that Palm kernel shell 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 of fibre-roofing material, the other possibility of
using Coconut shell as an aggregate in concrete production has not been given any
serious attention (Adeyemi, 1998) investigated, for one mix ratio (1:2:4) the
suitability of Coconut shell as substitute for either fine or coarse aggregate in
concrete production. It was concluded that the Coconut shell were more suitable as
low strength-giving lightweight aggregate when used to replace common coarse
aggregate in concrete production.
Also, from the observations, the combination of coconut shell and grained palm
kernel shell has a potential as lightweight aggregate in concrete. Neville (1995)
observed that lightweight concrete has a density in the range of 3001850 kg/m3.
This density range was obtained when 75% of the Coconut shells were used to
replace gravel as coarse aggregate for mix ratios 1:1:2 and 1:2:4. This was also true
for palm kernel shell concrete Palm kernel shell made from mix proportion 1:1:2.
However, for the other mix ratio (1:2:4), lightweight concrete density range was
achieved when 50% of the Palm kernel shell were used to replace gravel. The
coconut shell concrete exhibited higher density than Palm kernel shell concrete. For
both shells and for the two mix ratios, the density of the concrete decreased as the
percentage of shells increased.
The combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel shell to replace
aggregate in concrete can produce the low cost building material in constructional
market in Malaysia. It proved by the value of the shell as waste material in
agriculture environment compare the aggregates like gravel, stone and sand that
categories high cost in construction material because of the demand in the market.
The natural material as agricultural waste also can be handling by the development
of high value product as replacing the aggregate in concrete. So, it can prevent the
wasting problem in Malaysia.
The expected result from the cube strength test to determine the suitable sample is
depend on the graph strength per weight versus the percentage aggregate content in
concrete. Even though, the control sample have the highest strength in testing but
the experimental also depend the weight of aggregate use in concrete .So the result
of testing should be done first to answer the first objective in the research.

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Investigate the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel to replace aggregate in concrete: A technical review

Figure 3: Density vs. % replacement at 1:1:2 and 1:2:4 mix proportions

CONCLUSION
From the experimental results and discussion, the combination of coconut shell and
grained palm kernel shell has potential as lightweight aggregate in concrete. Also, using
the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel shell as aggregate in concrete
can reduce the material cost in construction because of the low cost and abundant
agricultural waste.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors express their sincere gratitude to the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) for
the facilities for the research.
REFERENCES
Ing, D.S., Kurian, V.J. and Narayanan, S.P. 2008. Use of Oil Palm shell as structural
Topping for Semi-Precast concrete Slab. Malaysian Construction Research Journal,
2: 91-99
Olanipekun, E.A., Olusola, K.O. and Ata, O. 2006. A comparative study ofconcrete
properties using coconut shell and palm kernel shell as coarse aggregates. Building
and Environment 41: 297301
Portland Cement Association. 1979. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures. Illinois:
Shokie.
Ohler, J.G. (Ed.). 1999. Modern Coconut Management, Palm Cultivation and Products,
FAO. London: Intermediate Tenology Publ. Ltd,.
Adeyemi, A.Y. 1998. An investigation into the suitability of coconut shells as aggregates
in concrete production. Journal of Environment Design and Management, 1(1-2):17
26.
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Siti Aminah Bt Tukiman and Sabarudin Bin Mohd

Bhattacharya, K.R., Sowbhagya, C.M. and Indudhara S.Y.M. 1972. Some physical
properties of paddy and rice and their interrelations. Journal of the Science of Food
and Agriculture, 23: 171186.
Thakur, A.K. and Gupta, A.K. 2005. Water absorption characteristics of paddy, brown rice
and husk during soaking Department of Processing and Food Engineering,
Neville, A.M. 1995. Properties of Concrete. 4th ed. Essex: Addison Wesley Longman Ltd.

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