Rice Husk Ash as an Admixture for Concrete Hollow

Blocks in Extreme Conditions

by

Maglayo, Ronelle S.
Rillera, John Carlos T.
Tillas, Angelika Wynne D.

A Study Submitted to the School of CEGE in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in the Subject
RES100-4

Mapa Institute of Technology

September 2016
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

Concrete has been an important construction unit in structures. They provide the
building blocks that act as the main foundation, strength, and constitute to the overall quality
of a building. Concrete can come in many forms, depending on the needs or requirements set
by the type of building or structure that will be constructed. Typically, a concrete is made by
mixing a part of cement with water, and mixed with aggregates. With the improvements
made by researches to improve the quality of concrete, admixtures are now commonly used
in concrete mix. The admixture that is used also varies, as each type of admixture has
different effect on a concrete mix. The most commonly used admixtures are one that
enhances the strength and durability of concrete.
Admixtures varies in terms of its composition. With the abrupt changes in the
environment, several researchers have been constantly studying materials that can provide
sustainability of concrete structures. There are chemically produced admixtures, which are
made in laboratories, which are composed of different chemical compounds that react with
the concrete mix. While, organic or natural admixtures are also widely used in the
construction industry due to the abundance of minerals present. These natural admixtures
contain several compounds that help in modifying or altering the initial properties of concrete
mix. However, natural resources can easily be depleted if overused, and may cause damage
or harm in the environment. A typical example of these natural admixtures are minerals from
rocks that are in need of quarrying to obtain and extract the necessary ingredients that could
enhance the concrete. These actions can result in damaging the environment and oppose the
initial aim of researchers, which is to provide sustainability in all forms.
As such, researchers started to focus on organic waste materials that could enhance
the qualities of concrete without damaging the environment, and they have found out an

agricultural waste that is abundant in countries that focus on cultivating their lands to
produce rice. An agricultural waste product, which is the Rice Husk, when processed can
become a great admixture called Rice Husk Ash.
In concrete mix modification, a lot of researches has been made in response to the
demand on the sustainability and protection of the environment. It has been found out in
several studies that when utilized, rice husk ash, which is an abundant agricultural waste can
be generally used in different ways, particularly in creating, modifying and manufacturing of
a concrete. Several studies suggest the use of rice husk ash, which is rice husk burned in a
controlled environment. This rice husk ash can be substituted or act as a replacement to
cement (Pedrozo, 2008) with proper proportions with water and aggregate. Another study
introduces rice husk ash as an admixture, in which it is grinded carefully to determine the
suitable fineness to make the cement mix workable (Doria, et al., 2013). Other studies
suggest a moderate use of rice husk ash and mixed it with Portland cement, especially in
creation of concrete using conventional concrete mix, as mentioned in the study made by
Duart (2008). Rice husk ash is not only limited as a substitute or additional in concrete mix,
but it can also act as a sustainable binding ingredient for concrete due to its pozzolanic
properties as stated by Domens (2015) in his study.

There are also several researches and findings done for rice husk ash, specifically
laboratory tests to determine its components and its compounds that cause the desired effect
of strengthening the concrete. In a laboratory test, it was proven that the rice husk ash can
effectively reduce corrosion when used in a reinforced concrete containing steel bars (Doria,
et al., 2013). The rice husk ash prevents and protects the steel bars by acting as a double layer

of coating after the concrete itself, as the results show that rice husk ash induced concrete has
lower permeability compared to normal concrete. Also, rice husk ash concrete has been
effectively used as a waterproofing that can be used in bathroom or swimming pools. A lot of
study revolved around the rice husk ash, due to it being flexible and a lot of its capabilities
are still undiscovered. Due to this, rice husk ash has become a subject of interest in
researches around the world.
This study aims to evaluate the potential of rice husk ash as an admixture to
concrete hollow blocks when exposed to extreme environments. The potential of rice husk
ash concrete hollow block would be measured through the quantitative data of its
compressive strength after undergoing several trials and several design mix, until it obtains
an appropriate compressive strength that is recommended in different design manuals. After
which, it is then placed or exposed in an extreme environment, like submerging in a salt
water or flood water, exposing to extreme heat
or fire, and to varying wind loads for a long period of time. The qualitative data that can be
gathered is through observing the reaction of the concrete hollow block against these
conditions, its form, structure, and visual appearance would also be considered. After being
exposed in these environment, their compressive strength would be measured and compared
from the previous compressive strength gathered from its original undisturbed state. The
possible decline shall then serve as a quantitative data from which further analyzation should
be made or done. After performing the said methodology, or experiment, the data gathered
and obtained would be the basis in answering the questions or research statements that can be
found in the conceptual framework of the research study. This shall be the basis in gathering
information to analyze the performance of the concrete hollow block infused or mixed with

the admixture rice husk ash. To further evaluate the potential of the concrete hollow block
mixed with rice husk ash, it will be tested in real structures that undergo inconsistent changes
present in the real world. In the real time changes in conditions, the rice husk ash will be
determined if it would really be an ideal admixture when used against certain conditions, and
what condition it would be suited to be used the most.
This study would be useful in the field of research for construction materials,
specifically in its use as a sustainable component in concrete mixtures. It would also be
recognized and further improved by other researchers who wish to undergo the same field of
study and the same topic of utilizing the agricultural waste, rice husk ash. It will be
advantageous to farmers, as it reduces the agricultural waste being produced, and not wasting
valuable resources just to properly dispose them. It would be useful to engineers as it would
be cheaper, creating a good economical cost in construction without jeopardizing or
compromising the quality of the structure. A lot would benefit, especially the civilians or
homeowners who want to reinforce their shelter or homes to successfully fight against these
conditions that can potentially claim lives and destroy property. The government, especially
those who handle countries rich in agricultural farmlands, can also gain money by exporting
the rice husk ash as a product to those urbanized countries that are prone to different extreme
conditions like freezing, flooding, or fires. These studies can help in promoting the use of
rice husk ash in creating sustainable concrete structures while promoting economic growth
and safety countermeasures against climate change, which can be vividly seen as one of the
cause of the irregularities in the environment that causes extreme conditions to prevail.
The study about rice husk ash can be too broad, as it can cover a wide range of
topics that can potentially elevate its status from an agricultural waste to an important by

product. This study will be limited in determining the strength of rice husk ash concrete
before and after exposing it in extreme conditions, and will cover the best design mix for
each extreme conditions the concrete is being exposed to.
REFERENCES

Nagrale, S., Hajare, H., & Modak, P. (2012). Utilization of Rice Husk Ash.
International Journal of Engineering Research , 01-05.
Ahmad, A., Parung, H., Tjaronge, M., & Djamaluddin, R. (2014). Durability of
Concrete Using Rice Husk Ash as Cement Substitution Exposed to Acid Rain.
International Journal of Engineering Research , 144-149.
Laruan, E., Bonares, R., Abdulkasan, M.-m., & Ruiz, R. (2013). Compressive
Strengths of Concrete Hollow Blocks Using Rice Husk Ash. Student Engineer
Pulsar , 32-43.
Fernandez, R. (2002, November 30). Rice Husk Ash Good Substitute for Cement.
The Philippine Star .
Maroliya, M. (2012). Influence of Chemical Admixtures on Density and Slump
Loss of Concrete. International Journal of Modern Engineering Research , 40774079.
Al-Adili, A., Al Ameer, O. A., & Raheem, E. (2015). Investigation of Incorporation
of two Waste Admixtures Effect on Some Properties of Concrete. The
International Conference on Technologies and Materials for Renewable Energy,
Environment and Sustainability , 652-662.
Ganiron Jr., T. (2013). Influence of Polymer Fiber on Strength of Concrete.
International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology , 53-66.
Clemente, J., Dyquiangco, G., & Gobway, D. (2014). Effect of Fine Sugarcane
Bagasse and Ash as a. CEGE Journal .
Pagbilao, D. (2000). Flexural and Compressive Strength Characteristics of
Concrete Paving Blocks And Establishment of Strength Criteria. JIPEA World
Congress .
Asuncion, B. (2012, June 29). Stepping onto the benefits of marble and granite.
Philippine Daily Inquirer .
Caruncho, E. (2015, June 10). It takes a leap of faith to live in an out-of-the-box
bamboo house. Philippine Daily Inquirer .
Abd Elaty, M. a. (2014). Compressive strength prediction of Portland cement
concrete with age using a new model. HBRC Journal , 145-155.

Testing Compressive Strength of Concrete. (2003). NRMCA .

Developer gives tips on building structures for extreme weather. (2013,
November 24). Community Bulletin Board .
The deadliest natural disasters in the Philippines. (2013, October 15). Phillipine
Daily Inquirer .
Kulkami, & Patil. (2011). Comparative Study of Effect of Sustained High
Temperature on strength Properties of Self Compacting Concrete and Ordinary
Conventional Concrete. International Journal of Engineering and Technology ,
106-118.
Kim, T.-K., Choi, S.-J., Kim, J.-H. J., & Kim, B.-Y. (2015). Performance Based
Evaluation of Concrete Strength under Various Curing Conditions to Investigate
Climate Change Effects. Sustainability , 10052-10077.
Doria, G. M., Manibog, J. B., & Mantiquilla, J. L. (2013). Proposed Six-Storey
Integrated Headquarters of PNP and BFP in Mandaluyong. Thesis .
Domens. (2015). Influence of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as Cement Replacement in
Concrete to Pullout Performance of Expansion Anchors. Thesis .
Pedrozo. (2008). UTILIZATION STUDY OF RESIDUAL RICE RUSK ASH IN
STRUCTURAL CONCRETE: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CHLORIDE DURABILITY. Master
Thesis .
Duart. (2008). CONCRETE MICROESTRUTURE STUDY WITH ADDITION OF
UNGROUND RESIDUAL RICE HUSK ASH WITHOUT BURN CONTROL. Master's
Thesis .
Calatrava, Luna, d., & Tarrayo. (2005). Polymer Fiber: A Potential Admixture of
Cement for Concrete. Thesis .
Cruz, d., Golechong, & Murillo. (2014). Effects of Bambusa blumeana Fibers in
the Loading Capacity of Concrete Hollow Blocks. Thesis .
Budge. (1961). The Influence of Water-Reducing Admixtures on the Curing of
Concrete. Thesis .
Rabena, Aman, & Amistad. (2010). The Compressive Strength of Concrete Using
Kakawate (Gliricidia Sepium) Jacq. Kunth Ex Walph. Wood Ash Cement.
Research .
Rambabu, Varma, C., & Ramarao. (2015). Experimental Study on Rice Husk Ash
for Optimum Level of Replacement of Cement in Concrete. Research .
Rukzon, S., & Chindaprasirt, P. (2010). Strength and Carbonation Model of Rice
Husk Ash Cement Mortar with Different Fineness. Research .
Tao, J., Yuan, Y., & Taerwe, L. (2010). Compressive Strength of Self-Compacting
Concrete during High-Temperature Exposure. Thesis .

Castillo, C. (1987). Effect of transient high temperature on high-strength

concrete. Thesis .
Lau, A., & Anson, M. (2006). Effect of high temperatures on high performance
steel fibre reinforced concrete. Research .
Thorat, V., Papal, M., Kacha, V., Sarnobat, T., & Gaikbad, S. (2015). Hollow
Concrete Blocks-A New Trend. Internation Journal of Modern Engineering
Research , 19-26.
Gallardo, R. (2008). NEURAL NETWORK MAPPING IN THE SIMPLIFIED DESIGN.
Esguerra, N., & Amistad, F. (2015). Price Modeling Of The Non-Load Bearing
Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHBs) Manufactured In Ilocos Sur. Phillipine Engineering
Journal .
Liu, J. (2013). Effect of straw mixing amount on mechanical properties of
admixture-adding hollow block. Research .
Ganesan, T., & Ramamurthy, K. (1992). Behavior of Concrete HollowBlock
Masonry Prisms under Axial Compression. Technical Paper .