CEMENT BRICK MATERIALS MADE FROM COCONUT SHELL AND COCONUT SHELL ASH

Abstract

Studies on the use of coconut shells in engineering are being conducted to identify the potential of these materials to be alternative materials in the brick industries. Coconut shells have the potential to be used as sand replacement material and as cement in brick. Although sand is a natural and readily available source, the high demand for construction of buildings has caused many rivers to have sand sources affected. The process of river erosion and river deposition is due to excessive sand intake rapidly. As we know, the use of bricks in the construction of building walls is increasing because of the cost and it is convenience. Bricks also used as the primary material in construction to build walls. Among the aspect identified cement brick are overweight, high manufacturing cost and cement brick have high water permeability that will caused decrease in strength which it will crack and break easily. The objectives of the studies are to produce cement brick from coconut shell and coconut shell ash as replacement alternative material for sand and cement. This studies also to determine the mechanical propertise of the brick with the additional materials of crushed coconut shell and coconut coal ashes by conducting compressive strength test, density test and water absorption test. Besides it is to compare existing cement brick with coconut shell brick, in this study, a standard mix used is cement: sand, which is ratio 1:6, a coconut shells and coconut shell ashes are added by using difference ratio. The bricks are made using coconut shells and coconut shell ashes with sand and cement in a percentage of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%. The strength of the specimen was taken at age 7 and 28 days. Based on previous study, the expected finding experimental result show that the value of test outcome each sample are difference. The compressive strength from 10% and 20% of additional coconut shells and coconut shell ashes materials is increase, but the strength from 30% and 40% is decrease. The water absorption test result shows in the previous study, each sample is increase but not too much. Among the improvements that can be done in the future is, by doing a more detailed study on cement sand brick that have a coconut shell and coconut shell ashes material. In addition, cement sand brick may be produced by using other waste materials to save the environment. Keywords: coconut shell (CS), coconut shell ash (CSA), brick, environment friendly, compressive strength