International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 08 | Aug 2023
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF UNPROCESSED RICE HUSK ASH EFFECTS ON CONCRETE CHARACTERISTICS Junaid Bashir Khan1, Jagbir Singh2, Yuvraj Singh3 1M.Tech (Structural Engineering), GNDEC Ludhiana, Punjab, India
2Professor and Head, Dept. Of Civil Engineering, GNDEC Ludhiana, Punjab, India 3 Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Civil Engineering, GNDEC Ludhiana, Punjab, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete production Abstract - The manufacturing of concrete is of paramount
(Juenger and Siddique, 2015; Qin et al., 2019). This strategic shift towards incorporating supplementary cementitious materials aims to reduce the reliance on OPC and its associated high carbon footprint. Rice husk ash (RHA) presents itself as a promising supplementary cementitious material, offering an alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete production. Notably, RHA is generated through the combustion of rice husks, often during biomass energy generation, a practice prevalent in rice-producing nations. A significant amount of RHA, however, is disposed of in landfills, lacking value addition. Recognizing this potential waste, researchers have extensively investigated the utilization of RHA in concrete production as a supplementary cementitious material. The characteristics of RHA, both chemical and physical, exhibit variability due to factors such as the rice husk type, combustion rate, and fineness of the ash particles (Bui et al., 2005; Ganesan et al., 2008; Nair et al., 2008). Notably, optimal conditions, such as controlled scalding, can yield highly reactive RHA, with amorphous silica content ranging from 85% to 95% (Cordeiro et al., 2009; Darsanasiri et al., 2018; Tharshika et al., 2019). Achieving such conditions is challenging, as precise control over burning temperatures during biomass energy generation is complex. RHA produced under uncontrolled burning conditions might have relatively higher carbon content and lower pozzolanic reactivity. To enhance the reactivity of RHA, a common approach involves grinding the ash to achieve finer particles, thereby increasing its effectiveness (Chao-Lung et al., 2011; Venkatanarayannan and Rangraju, 2015). However, it's important to note that this refinement process necessitates additional energy consumption and incurs supplementary costs in the production of concrete incorporating RHA. Hence, the direct utilization of unprocessed rice husk ash (UPRHA) as a cementitious material in concrete demands a comprehensive and systematic investigation. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the influence of incorporating unprocessed rice husk ash (RHA) on various essential properties of concrete, spanning its fresh, hardened, and durability aspects. These properties encompassed parameters such as workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and water absorption. The investigation aimed to determine the viability of utilizing rice husk ash in concrete as a direct substitute for cement, without any prior processing.
importance in the construction sector, yet it is accompanied by significant environmental challenges. The extraction and processing of traditional cement constituents such as limestone and clay have a considerable impact on finite resources due to their widespread use. Moreover, the chemical reactions inherent in cement production result in substantial emissions of carbon dioxide, a prominent greenhouse gas responsible for climate change and global warming. This study aims to address these environmental concerns associated with conventional cement production by investigating the viability of incorporating Unprocessed Rice Husk Ash (UPRHA) as a partial substitute for cement in concrete formulations. The research explores various concrete properties, including workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and water absorption, to assess the feasibility of utilizing unprocessed RHA. A comprehensive comparative analysis was undertaken, involving different substitution levels of unprocessed RHA, ranging from 10% to 30% of the cement's weight. The findings reveal that the inclusion of unprocessed rice husk ash resulted in a reduction in the workability of the concrete. Furthermore, it was observed that unprocessed RHA had a more pronounced adverse effect on the overall properties of the concrete. Key Words: Unprocessed Rice Husk Ash, M20 Grade Concrete, Compressive Strength, Split Tensile Strength, Water Absorption
1. INTRODUCTION The conventional process of producing concrete is associated with significant utilization of natural resources and subsequent energy consumption, resulting in various environmental challenges. Notably, the production of 1 kg of aggregate is linked to an approximate emission of 0.012 kg CO2-eq, while the production of 1 kg of cement contributes to approximately 981 kg CO2-eq (de Brito and Kurda, 2020). The enormous global demand for aggregate and cement is evident, with approximately 48.3 billion tonnes and 4.1 billion tonnes utilized in 2018, respectively (de Brito and Kurda, 2020). Efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of concrete production have prompted research endeavours directed at creating more environmentally friendly concrete using waste materials and minimizing energy consumption. Consequently, researchers have explored the integration of supplementary cementitious materials as alternatives to
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