Study on Behaviour of Bamboo as Reinforcement with Coconut Shell as Aggregate Concrete in Compression Member with Different Lengths

Avula Ganesh Reddy , A. Joshua Daniel

Abstract

The use of waste materials is one of the options for sustainable construction. Crushed stone is usually used as coarse aggregate in concrete, which is generally a non-renewable natural resource. Steel, which is used for reinforcement in construction industry requires lot of energy for its production and its use has been widely increased which keeps India in fourth position in steel production. In this project the coconut shell waste is considered as coarse aggregate (after the same has been crushed) for preparing light weight concrete. The natural material like bamboo which is having considerable tensile strength is considered for reinforcement along with coconut shell concrete. Since the bamboo may absorb moisture from the concrete, for that bamboo is treated with water repellent substance like epoxy adhesive is considered. Short columns of various lengths were studied in this work. The columns with replaced coconut shell aggregate with bamboo reinforcement and columns with replaced coarse aggregate with steel reinforcement were compared with the conventional concrete with steel reinforcement specimens. The ultimate load carrying capacity of the columns decreased with the increase in length. The stiffness of the columns also decreased with the replacement of aggregate and reinforcement.