The 3rd ACF International Conference- ACF/VCA 2008

A.44

EFFECT OF RICE HUSK ASH ON PROPERTIES

OF HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE

Dao Van Dong- Doctor, Pham Duy Huu- Professor, Nguyen Ngoc Lan- Engineer

University of Transportation and Communication, Vietnam

ABSTRACT: The paper presents several key properties of high strength concrete using rice husk
ashes (RHAs). RHAs obtained from two sources: India and Vietnam were used with various
contents to partially replace for cement binder in high strength concrete. Key properties of
concrete, including: slump, density, compressive strength, water and chloride permeability
resistances, were investigated in comparison between samples without using RHA and samples
using two types of RHAs. Experimental results showed reasonable improvements in compressive
strength, water and chloride permeability resistances of concrete using the RHAs. The results
also presented that the improvements of samples composed the India RHA were much better than
that of the Vietnam RHA. The utilisation of RHA in concrete can obtain several benefits. On the
one hand, it contributes to reduce of agricultural waste that is the main cause of environmental
problems in agricultural countries. On the other hand, it is an approach to improve the quality of
concrete without using costly additives such as silicafume.

KEYWORDS: Concrete, rice husk ash, density, compressive strength, water permeability
resistance, chloride permeability resistance.

1. INTRODUCTION

High strength concretes (HSC) have been used widely in construction applications since they
have consisted reasonable high properties, such as mechanical and durable properties. The most
effective applications of HSC are in high rise building and bridge constructions as it allows
reducing the cross-section area of the structural elements. Investigations in HSC as well as high
performance concrete (HPC) to improve their properties have been attempted.
According to CEB-FIP State-of-the-Art Report [1] HSC is defined as concrete which has a
minimum compressive strength of 60 MPa at 28-days age. However, the manufacture of HSCs
requires the use of a high amount of cement binder compared to the traditional concretes. Cement
binder proportion for more than 60 MPa compressive strength concretes is at least 450 kg/m3 [2].
This figure is up to a thousand kilogram of cement for ultra high strength concrete generations
[3]. The use of high cement binder contents causes of many disadvantages for properties of
HSCs. Firstly, high cement binder content for a unit of concrete volume releases substantial heat
due to hydration reactions between cement and water. Each kilogram of cement added into the
concrete mix results in approximately 150 kJ of heat [4]. Consequently, temperature rises
significantly when more cement is mixed for HSC, especially for mass concrete structures. This
problem leads to high temperatures inside of the concrete structures and is main causes of cracks
in concretes, especially, during early age. To reduce the cracks the concrete must be cured
carefully. As a result, expenditure for curing works is significant and contributes to raise the total
cost of concretes. Secondly, high cement binder content used for concrete creates more free-
calcium hydroxide compounds in cement paste. This leads to unstable volume as well as low

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water resistance of concrete structure. For those reasons, costly additives, such as silicafume,
normally should be used to limit disadvantages of the use of high cement binder content [2].
Although HSCs obtain substantial compressive strengths, their durable properties have still been
considered. This is because the improvement in strength of HSCs is not the same rate of other
durable properties, such as chloride and sulfate resistances [5].
Rice husk is a waste from agricultural product and obtained during the dehusking of paddy rice. It
is abundant in many parts of the world, especially in agriculture countries. Each tonne of paddy
rice can produce approximately 200 kg of husk, which on combustion produces about 40 kg of
ash [6]. According to a recent review by Calpe [7], the Global rice paddy production in 2007 was
as high as 640 million tones that results in approximately 130 million tones of rice husks as a
waste product from the milling. Vietnam is an agriculture country with yearly paddy rice
production is 36 million tones, the fifth highest paddy rice producing and the third highest
exported rice production over the world [7]. This figure will grow up to as high as 40 million
tones in 2020 [8]. This produces approximately 8 million tones of rice husk annually.
Rice husk is mostly disposed as a waste. This results in environmental problems, especially after
it is disintegrated in wet conditions. In Vietnam rice husk from paddy rice mills is eliminated
directly out the environment or sometime is dumped or burnt in open piles on the fields. In recent
reports rice husk which eliminated into rivers and canals by rice mills in Mekong Delta provinces
leads to serious pollutions for environment [9].
The utilization of ashes converted from rice husks (RHAs) was considered as early as prior 1970s
[10]. Since then an amount of investigations has been carried out in manufacturing processes,
including combustion and grind technologies, to obtain high performances of RHAs. RHAs have
been used effectively in steel industry to produce high quality flat steels and insulators [11]. It has
been also shown from several studies that rice husks when burnt in controlled conditions between
temperatures of 500oC to 700oC and ground to particle sizes of less than 10 µm will perform
acceptable pozzolanic properties to apply in cement and concrete industries [12, 13, 14, 15].
Uncontrolled combustion results in poor quality of RHAs as at lower than 500oC the ashes
contain high carbon content and high amount of loss in ignition [13, 14], and at temperatures
greater than 700oC crystalline silica ash is formed [11, 13]. Thus, pozzolanic reactivity is a key
characteristic which controls the quality of RHAs when using for cement and concrete. This
characteristic is affected by amorphous silica content as well as particle size.
RHAs have been trialed manufacturing in Vietnam in recent years [16]. However, there is only
one manufacturer who can supply the ash in commercial scale. Unfortunately, the supplier is
located in Hanoi, whereas the major source of rice husk is available in the South of Vietnam,
especially in the Mekong Delta provinces. Also, the quality of the ash should be considered.
Rice husk ashes have been used effectively in blended cement binders and cementitous concretes.
Up to 40% of RHAs was blended in cement to manufacture mortar with high strength and good
resistance of chloride penetration [12, 17]. Similarly, normal concretes using RHAs to replace
partly for cement have gained substantial good properties, such as strength and durability [14, 18,
19]. This is due to RHAs act as a highly reactive pozzolanic material to enhance quality of
cement paste. It is also a fine filler to improve the microstructure of the interface transition zone
between the cement paste and the aggregate surface. These mechanisms of RHAs are fully
applicable to HPCs. However, research in the use of RHAs in HPCs has been limited.
The objectives of this paper are to present an enormous potentiality of utilizing of rice husk in
manufacturing RHAs for industrial applications, especially as a supper reactive pozzolanic
material in cement and concrete productions; and to compare key properties of a HSC using local
materials composed two RHAs, one is sold in Vietnam and other is a high quality product from
India.
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2. MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTS

2.1. Materials

2.1.1. Cement
Cement used in this investigation was a blended Portland cement PCB40 which is in accordance
with Vietnamse standard TCVN 6260-1997. Properties of this binder are given in Table 1.

2.1.2. Rice husk ashes

Two types of RHAs were used to replace partly for cement. The first one is a commercial ash
manufactured in Hanoi, Vietnam (RHA1). The second ash is a high quality product from India
(RHA2). Colour, chemical compositions and physical characteristics of those ashes are shown in
Plate 1 and Table 1.

a) b)
Plate 1. Colour of RHAs: a) RHA1; b) RHA2

Table 1. Properties of cement and RHAs

Properties Cement PCB 40 RHA1 RHA2
Physical properties:
Specific gravity 3.11
Loose bulk density (g/cm3) 0.60 0.46
Particle size distribution (%)
Passing 45 µm 76 100
Passing 20 µm 40 82
Passing 10 µm 16 53
Passing 5 µm 7 22
Initial setting time (min) 130
Final setting time (min) 195
LOI (%) - 6.23 1.56
Colour grey black white-grey

Chemical composition (%):

SiO2 82.6 91.08
- Reactive silica 7.39 90.3
Al2O3 3.31 4.90
Fe2O3 0.80 0.30
CaO 1.43 0.89
K 2O 2.80 0.10
MgO 0.90 0.96

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2.1.3. Aggregates
Crushed granite with maximum nominal particle size of 19 mm was used as coarse aggregate.
Silicate sand with 100% passing sieve size of 5 mm and fineness modulus of 3.28 was acted as
fine aggregate. Their properties and gradation are listed in Table 2 and Figure 1.
100 Sand
Table 2. Properties of aggregates
Coarse Agg.
Sand Coarse Agg. 80

Bulk density (g/cm3)

Passing (%)
1.56 1.42 60
Specific gravity 2.56 2.70
40
Crushing strength (% - 6.23
passing 1.25 mm sieve) 20
Fineness modulus 3.28 - 0
0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Grain siz e (mm)

Figure 1. Gradations of aggregates

2.1.4. Superplasticizer
A polymer polycarboxylate- based superplasticizer with the trademark of Viscocrete 3000-10 was
used. This admixture was sold by Sika Ltd. in Vietnam. Recommended content from the
manufacturer is from 0.8 to 1.1 litre per 100 kg cement.

2.2. Mix proportion

The purpose of this investigation was to make a high strength concrete with targets of 28-day
compressive strength of at least 70 MPa and slump of 150 mm. Proportion of mixtures was
selected basing on these targets.
The RHA1 was trialed to replace for cement with various ratios, namely 0, 5, 10, and 15 % by
mass of cement. The RHA2 was used to replace 10% of cement. Ratio of water per total cement
binder (cement plus RHAs) was fixed at 0.32. Mixture proportions were presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Proportion of investigated mixtures

Mix code
Materials Control 5%RHA1 10%RHA1 15%RHA1 10%RHA2
3
Cement (kg/m ) 500 475 450 425 450
RHA/cement (%) 0 5 10 15 10
Water/(cement + RHA) 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.32
Sand/(sand + coarse agg.) 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35
Superplaticizer
(ml/100 kg (cement + RHA)) 1100 1100 1100 1100 1100

2.3. Sample preparations

The mixtures after mixing followed a controlled procedure were immediately tested to determine
slump. The mixes then were cast samples by using cylinder moulds of 150 by 300 mm in
dimensions, excepted samples of 100 by 200 mm to test chloride permeability. After 24 hours in
moulds the samples were demoulded and immerged in a water batch in laboratory condition until

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the day of testing. Each test was carried out with a set of three samples and the reported results
below are mean values.

3. RESULTS AND DIDCUSSIONS

3.1. Workability
All mixtures after mixing were immediately tested to determine slump. The test was carried out
by a standard cone [20]. Experimental results are shown in Figure 2.
180 100
160
140 98

Density (%)
120
Slump (mm)

100 96
80 94
60
40 92
20
0 90
1

1
A1

A1

A2

A1

A1

A2
l

l
A

A
o

o
tr

tr
H

H
RH

RH
on

on

R
R

R
5%

5%
%

%
C

C
10

15

10

10

15

10
Figure 2. Effect of RHA types and their Figure 3. Reduction in density of various
contents to Slump of the fresh concrete concretes contained RHAs in comparison
mixtures. with the control sample.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the use of 5% RHA1 results in a slightly reduction in slump. This
could be due to the absorption of porous structure of RHA. However, when the content of the
RHA1 increases slump gradually improves. This is possibly because of the dominant effect of the
finer particle size of the RHA1 in comparison to the cement. This effect is more effective in the
case of RHA2 (slump of 165 mm compared to 140 mm of the control mix). Again, this is due to
the RHA2 is much finer than the RHA1 (see Table 1).

3.2. Density of concrete

The replacement of RHAs for cement results in reductions of density of concretes. This is due to
specific density of the RHAs is much lower than that of cement. Concretes used 10% of RHAs
can be reduced approximately 2% in density in comparison with the control concrete (Fig 3.).

3.3. Compressive strength

Compressive strength of the samples is shown in Figure 4. The replacement of RHA1 for cement
results in decreases in compressive strength compared to the control samples. At age of 28 days
there is no big different between compressive strength of 5%RHA1 and 10%RHA1 samples.
However, the use of 15%RHA1 leads to a significant reduction of compressive strength.
Additionally, the rate of development of compressive strength of the RHA1 concrete samples
tends to decrease following the age of curing. These could be due to that RHA1 does not act as a
cement replacement because of its coarse particle size and low reactivity. From these data it is
designed that 10%RHA1 is an acceptable percentage of RHA1 as cement replacement.
In contrast, Figure 4 also shows improvements in compressive strength of samples used
10%RHA2. At the age of 7 days there is no different between compressive strength of control
samples and that of samples used 10%RHA2. More interestingly, the replacement of 10% cement
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by RHA2 indicates remarkable improvements in compressive strength at 28 and 90 days of age in

comparison with the control samples. These improvements are 6.5% and 7.5% increases at 28
and 90 days, respectively. In other words, the rate of increase of compressive strength tends to
rise up continuously after the designed age (e.g. 28 days). This trend is opposite to the samples
used RHA1 that the rate is gradually reduced.
Further investigation for various RHA2 contents should be extended to get an optimum content.
From the results obtained in these tests it is possible to reveal that RHA1 does not present good
reactive pozzolanic properties. This material can be considered as a filler rather than a pozzolanic
additive. Meanwhile, RHA2 indicates much better pozzolanic properties, both in terms of
compressive strength and the rate of hydration. This could be due to the results of fine particle
size as well as reactive dioxide silicate content in the form of amorphous structure.
100

80
Comp. strength (MPa)

60

Control
40
5%RHA1
10%RHA1
20 15%RHA1
10%RHA2
0
0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70 77 84 91 98
Time (days)

Figure 4. Compressive strength of concrete samples used various RHAs types and contents at
different ages.

3.4. Water permeability

Samples were cut into cylinders of 150 mm by 150 mm and coated surrounding by epoxy to
determine water permeability. Six half of the samples were tested in accordance with BS EN
12390-8-2000 [21]. Water pressure was risen for each 2 atm interval up to 26 atm and kept for 16
hours for each level. Unfortunately, testing machine used in this research can be only withstood a
maximum water pressure of 26 atm. Therefore, it was designed that water pressure was stopped
at 26 atm and maintained for 16 hours. Observation during the tests showed that water did not
penetrate through the sample to the upper face at 26 atm. Tested samples therefore were removed
from apparatus and immediately split down the centre. The split half the samples were observed
to determine the maximum depth of water penetration. The results are plotted in Figure 5. In
general, HSC samples in this investigation have very low water permeability. Control samples are
penetrated approximately 40 mm. Samples used 10% RHA1 to replace for cement obtain a little
bit lower in water penetration, that is 35 mm depth of penetration. Interestingly, samples that
contained 10% RHA2 to substitute for cement obtain a negligible value of water penetration,
from zero to 2 mm in depth. The improvements in water resistance of samples used RHAs can be
explained as following mechanisms: RHA1 reacts mainly as a filler to enhance packing of
aggregate structure of concrete but it does not react as a puzzolanicity because of its chemical
compositions. Whereas, RHA2, on the one hand, is a filler liked RHA1, and on the other hand it

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is a supper pozzolanic material so it reacts with hydration products and reduces Ca(OH)2 content.
These result in a denser matrix and therefore improving water permeable resistance.

3.5. Chloride permeability

Chloride permeability was tested by Rapid chloride permeability Test [22]. Three sets of samples
were carried out. These were control samples; 10% RHA1 samples and 10% RHA2 samples.
Results in Figure 6 clearly show improvements of chloride resistance when concrete samples
were consisted of RHAs. However, samples used RHA1 results in a negligible reduction, 1165
coulombs compared to 1308 coulombs for pure cement concrete. Like control concrete, it is still
in low chloride ion penetrability group. In contrast, the use of RHA2 improves significantly the
chloride resistance, to 557 coulombs. Samples composed RHA2 is classified into very low
chloride ion penetrability [22]. Mechanisms to improve the chloride permeable resistance of the
concretes used of RHAs are similarly as the explanations in Section 3.4.
45 1400

Chloride permeability (Coulombs)

Depth of water penetration (mm)

40 1200
35
1000
30
25 800
20 600
15
400
10
200
5
0 0
Control 10%RHA1 10%RHA2 Control 10%RHA1 10%RHA2

Figure 5. Effect of RHA types to water Figure 6. Effect of RHA types to chloride
penetration of harden concretes permeability of harden concretes

4. CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the analyses and results presented, the following conclusions can be drawn:
• Rice husk is an abundant waste generated from agriculture product in Vietnam. This is a
potential source to produce RHAs for construction applications in Vietnam.
• Low quality RHA can be used as filler for concrete. The acceptable content is 10% to
replace for cement with an acceptance of reduction in compressive strength.
• High quality RHA can be used as a super pozzolanic additive for HSC. The concrete
product using RHA2 in this investigation can be compared with HPC.
• HSC used 10% RHA2 to replace for cement obtains substantial improvements in
properties, especially, compressive strength, water and chloride resistances.
• Further research to obtain an optimum RHA2 content should be continued.
• Investigations in manufacturing high quality RHA in Vietnam is necessary.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would express thanks to Section of Construction Materials and Laboratory of the
Institute of Science and Technology for Transport Construction, University of Transport and
Communications, Vietnam for kind helps in this research.

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