Effect of mechanical properties of concrete containing rice husk ash

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the utilization of rice husk ash (RHA) to enhance concrete properties, in which RHA from byproduct of brick-kilns in Sri Lanka. The rice husk ash (RHA) is a pozzolanic material that can be blended with the portland cement in concrete to obtain a highperformance of normal concrete. This paper proclaims an experimental investigation on utilization of RHA for the concrete as it is a byproduct of brick-kilns in Sri Lanka. The results of three different replacement percentages of RHA in concrete (10%, 20% and 30% by mass of cement) were compared with the concrete contain without RHA. Those samples were compared for compressive strength, tensile strength, surface water absorption and the durability aspects. A comparative study on chemical composition and physical properties was implemented and the experimental results were discussed. A significant improvement on the compressive strength at early stage is identified and optimum strength was obtained at the 20% RHA replacement by mass of cement. The strength of the concrete with different sizes of RHA particles was compared to identify the effects of particle size of RHA. Around 50% of the RHA from the brick-kiln can be utilized for the concrete by a proper grinding. Possibility of adding fly ash mixing with RHA was investigated to overcome the reduction of workability of concrete with the addition of RHA.