Experimental Study on Strength of Concrete by using Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate with Cockle Shells

The growing emphasis on eco-friendly buildings in the construction industry necessitates innovative solutions for sustainable material use. This study explores the potential of incorporating waste materials, specifically cockle shells (a byproduct of the seafood industry) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), into concrete production. The aim is to reduce both natural resource depletion and marine waste, while addressing the increasing demand and decreasing availability of traditional concrete aggregates. In this research, cockle shells were used to partially replace coarse aggregate in M25 grade concrete at replacement levels of 0%, 8%, 16%, and 24%, utilizing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 grade. The performance of the resulting concrete mixes was evaluated through compressive strength and split tensile strength tests after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. The results demonstrate that incorporating appropriate percentages of cockle shells yields workable concrete with satisfactory strength, comparable to conventional concrete. This study highlights the viability of utilizing marine waste for sustainable construction practices.