Analysis of the potential for the use of the green coco peel fiber for asphalt paving in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

Brazil is one of the largest consumers of coconut water in the world, as a result it is also one of the world's largest producers of this fruit. The green coconut shell represents around 80% of the volume of this fruit, generating a large residue after consuming its water. Thus, it ends up being a waste generated in high quantity, mainly in the cities of northeastern Brazil, which has a large extension of the coastal region. This waste, due to its shape, occupies large volumes in landfills and generates a lot of visual pollution in urban centers, mainly on beaches. Its reuse becomes a good environmental alternative to minimize the impacts generated. This research seeks to study the possibility of reusing green coco shell fiber in asphalt mixtures using the materials that make up the road pavements commonly used in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, analyzing the technical characteristics obtained in this mixture with the addition of green coco fiber in compared to pure asphalt mixtures. The results of this study showed a good performance of the asphalt mixture using the fiber of the green coconut shell. All parameters with analyzed Diametral Tensile Strength, Stability and Creep showed results within the parameters acceptable by the standards. For some tests, the results for mixtures with addition were better than those performed for pure mixtures, as was the case of Cântabro Wear and the Water Susceptibility Index. Therefore, asphalt mixtures with the addition of green coconut fiber have shown good results and can be a good alternative.