THE EFFECT OF THE ADDITION OF COCONUT FIBERS AND COCONUT SHELLS ON THE MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF POROUS CONCRETE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the additional mass composition of fiber and coconut shells on the mechanical properties of porous concrete. Porous concrete was made from organic waste fiber and coconut shells for flood prevention. Experiments were done by weighing, material mixing, molding, and drying process. Porous concrete was made into 5 variations by combining variable comparisons of coconut shell and coconut fiber with variations of 10.00/; 7.50/0.50; 5.00/1.00; 2.50/1.50; and 0.00/2.00. The porous concrete is tested through compression tests and water absorption tests. The results showed that the composition of the added concrete affected the strength of its water absorption ability. The porous concrete with the best level of strength and water absorption is obtained in porous concrete with the addition of 2 g of coconut fiber and 0 g of coconut shells with values of 156.1 N/s and 0.196%. The addition of coconut fibers at a certain concentration showed a direct proportion to the compressive strength and air absorption. This research is required to analyze and show evidence of the use of porous concrete with coconut fiber and coconut shell addition in overcoming floods and reducing the amount of coconut waste.