http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 770 editor@iaeme.com International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2017, pp. 770-776, Article ID: IJCIET_08_04_089 Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=4 ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed STUDY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRESS BLOCK FOR COCONUT SHELL CONCRETE Vikesh B.S M.Tech Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, SRM University, Chennai, India K. Gunasekaran Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SRM University, Chennai, India ABSTRACT The ultimate focus of this research is to find stress block in the coconut shell concrete. In this concrete, the coconut shell had replaced the coarse aggregate. To arrive at the objectives, a comprehensive experimental program was undertaken. The evaluation of stress and strain behavior of traditional concrete and coconut shell concrete was done. It is been found that the replacement of coarse aggregate with the coconut shell had a positive impact, out of which the target strength of M25 was achieved. The scope of investigation is to generate stress-strain curve and to get equivalent stress block parameters. A total of 40 cylinder specimens, 40 reinforced concrete beam specimens of both coconut shell and conventional concrete were cast for the stress-strain characteristics and flexural strength of concrete. From the results obtained stress block is developed for coconut shell concrete. Key words: coconut shell; stress-strain curve; stress block. Cite this Article: Vikesh B.S and K. Gunasekaran, Study for the Development of Stress Block for Coconut Shell Concrete. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(4), 2017, pp. 770-776. http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=4 1. INTRODUCTION In construction, concrete is a material which is strong and versatile. There is a research going on to find greener and cleaner replacement of materials in concrete industry for using in concrete to make a sustainable environment. Organic waste materials are one of the alternatives for aggregates that is to be used in concrete. Common materials used in concrete is natural stone which gets depleted over years due to its abundance availability[1]. So replacement of any other waste material which is also said to be light in weight leads to light weight concrete may be advantageous for handling of materials and also results in betterment to environment [2]. The density of light weight concrete is less than 2000 kg/m 3 and more than 20N/mm 2 as its compressive strength[3]. For the manufacturing of concrete coconut shell is used as its coarse aggregate. This material is crushed by a crushing machine to make it into smaller pieces as per the desired sieve size. Coconut shells are soaked in water and