Study on Behaviour of Compression Member with Bamboo as Reinforcement and Coconut Shell as Aggregate

Concrete is the most widely used construction material. Among all ingredients of concrete, aggregates form the major portion; further there exists a challenge in attaining the structural light weight concrete utilizing the waste. Among the natural waste coconut shells can suitably replace these natural aggregates. The compression testing on cube and split tensile test on cylinder were performed to authenticate its feasibility. Concrete is reinforced with steel bars to negate its weak tension carrying capacity. However, due to higher cost and non-renewability of steel, nowadays attempts were made to provide a low-cost, sustainable material. The feasibility for the usage of locally procured bamboo as reinforcement is tested to evaluate its Elasticity and ultimate strength. The axial compression test on various columns were performed comparing its axial deformation, Energy absorption capacity, ultimate load, displacement ductility and degradation in stiffness