Performance of Coconut Shell as Coarse Aggregate Replacement in Concrete

Abstract Coconut shells (CS) are frequently discarded, causing environmental and economic challenges in coconut-producing regions. This study examines the performance of using 5%, 10%, and 15% coconut shell as a replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete mixtures. The main objectives are to evaluate how various percentages of coconut shell replacement affect compressive strength and water absorption. The coconut shells were crushed into small pieces similar in size to standard aggregates used in concrete. The results show that the optimum compressive strength after 28 days of curing, with a 5% CS replacement, is 20.87 MPa. Additionally, the optimal water absorption rate observed was 4.28%.