SUITABILITY OF ALKALINE ACTIVATED RICE HUSK ASH AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR CEMENT IN CONCRETE

Adejoh Benjamin Ochola1, Abubakar Muhammed Ahmadu2, Mustapha Abdulhakeem3
Department of Civil Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic
Email: adejoh_benjamin@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study suitability of alkaline activated rice husk ash as partial replacement for cement in concrete has been investigated. The activated rice husk ash was partially replace as cement by percentage of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively. 60 number of grade 20 concrete cubes and 60 numbers of grade 25 concrete cubes were cast in laboratory and cured for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days respectively in accordance to BS1881: part 116: 1983. The study uses water/cement ratio of 0.55; with the hope that its usage would reduce accumulation of rice husk wastes which is harmful to human health. The rice husk was carbonized, sieved after carbonization using sieve size 150𝜇m and was activated in the chemical laboratory using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the alkaline medium. However despite the observed loss in strengths of the concrete, it can still be used for various applications requiring medium and low strength in accordance to concrete grade 5, a strength which is achieved with these replacements of activated rice husk ash concrete: such as non-load bearing concrete wall, sidewalks, road barrier, concrete block, kerbs. The amount of concrete produce worldwide for this application could ensure the viability of this study.
Keywords: Cementious material, Compressive strength, Rice husk ash, Pozzolana, filler,