A study on performance of concrete with commercial rice husk ash as partial cement replacement / Azrin Nadirah Mohd Luddin ... [et al.]

Concrete is a popular choice in the construction industry globally because of its excellent strength, long-lasting properties and their versatility in construction forms. However, the shortage of conventional cementing materials and the production of concrete itself has a significant impact on environmental problems. Consequently, there has been a search for sustainable alternatives, such as Rice Husk Ash (RHA), which is a waste material that can partially substitute cement and thus reduce the environmental footprint. The purpose of this study was to analyse the main characteristics of the RHA as partial cement replacement in concrete (the workability, the compressive strength and the quality of concrete). The experimental method have been conducted accordingly with different low percentage of RHA, ranging from 0 percent to 15 percent for 7, 14 and 28 days. The normal concrete grade (M30) and cube specimens (size 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm) was used for the experimental test throughout this study. The results showed that for all percentages of RHA cement replacement in concrete, workability declined as RHA levels increased. About 8 to 16 percent more strength was developed for 10% RHA compared to the control sample's value (0% RHA replacement). In addition, the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) quality test, which was carried out at 7 and 28 days, revealed that 10% is the possible ideal amount for RHA replacement. However, the 5% RHA and 15% RHA replacement, which showed a delayed and insignificant growth of strength, must be taken into account when assessing the validity of the data. For future reference, it is crucial for one to take note of and refer to these questionable parts.