THE EFFICIENCY OF USING COCONUT FIBER TO GET LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE

Abstract

Due to urbanization, the amount of construction work is constantly increasing. Concrete is the most essential element in this construction work. A large number of natural materials are being used in making this concrete. The main components of concrete making, such as sand, cement and Brick or stone chips are directly and indirectly natural components. The possibility of increasing its use, raise the harmful effects on the environment day by day. That’s why should be use natural ingredients as an alternative. Considering that aspect, Coconut fiber is a lightweight and less costly. an exploration conducted that, Replaced Coconut fiber in concrete with coarse aggregate by several cylinder specimen. the volume of coconut fiber taken 5%, 10% & 15% instant of the coarse aggregate in concrete sample, also taken a Plain concrete specimen. The cylinders are 4 " diameter and 8" height specimen are tested the compressive strength, tensile strength and weighed them. As a result of the test carried out that, the maximum tensile strength of plain concrete i.e., without coconut fiber was 1.881Mpa & Compressive Strength 24.176Mpa. The highest coconut fiber concrete (i.e., 15% coconut fiber replaced) tensile Strength was 1.773Mpa and Compressive Strength 23.436Mpa. Here optimum coconut fibers were 5% replace with coarse Aggregate the maximum tensile of concrete 1.804Mpa and Compressive Strength 24.052Mpa. Through the research, found that mixing a certain amount of coconut fiber as an alternative by coarse aggregate in concrete mix, although the strength of concrete is a bit less, but it can be used for construction work.