The increasing environmental concerns associated with conventional concrete production have encouraged the exploration of sustainable alternative materials in construction. This study investigates the mechanical performance of eco-conscious concrete using coconut shell as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate and fly ash as a partial replacement for cement in M30 grade concrete. Coconut shell, an agricultural waste material, was utilized to reduce dependency on natural aggregates, while fly ash was incorporated to enhance sustainability and improve concrete properties. Experimental investigations were conducted on various concrete mixes to evaluate compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and water absorption characteristics. The results indicated that incorporation of fly ash significantly enhanced the strength and durability performance of coconut shell concrete up to an optimum replacement level of 10%. Beyond this percentage, a reduction in early-age strength was observed. The study demonstrated that coconut shell and fly ash can be effectively used in structural lightweight concrete applications, thereby contributing toward sustainable construction practices, waste utilization, and conservation of natural resources.
Abhishek et al. (Sun,) studied this question.