Studies on the Effect of Rice Husk Ash as Cement Admixture

Compressive strength tests were carried out on six mortar cubes with cement replaced by rice husk ash (RHA) at five levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%). After the curing age of 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. The compressive strengths of the cubes at 10% replacement were 12.60, 14.20, 22.10, 28.50 and 36.30 N/mm2 respectively and increased with age of curing but decreased with increase in RHA content for all mixes. The chemical analysis of the rice husk ash revealed high amount of silica (68.12%), alumina (1.01%) and oxides such as calcium oxide (1.01%) and iron oxide (0.78%) responsible for strength, soundness and setting of the concrete. It also contained high amount of magnesia (1.31%) which is responsible for the unsoundness. This result, therefore, indicated that RHA can be used as cement substitute at 10% and 20% replacement and 14 and 28 day curing age. KEYWORD: Compressive Strength, Setting Time, Soundness, Curin