Influence Of Water-Binder Ratio On Normal Strength Concrete With Rice Husk Ash

Author(s): Elijah Abalaka, O. G. Okoli

The effects of rice husk ash (RHA) produced using a charcoal fired incinerator on properties of normal strength concrete at water /binder (w/b) ratio of 0.45, 0.50 and 0.55 was investigated. Characterization of the RHA by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray florescence (XRF) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy methods of analysis showed that the RHA was predominantly composed of amorphous silica with traces of cristobilite. The results further show that the RHA with a low specific surface could be used to replace 25% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in concrete at a w/b ratio of 0.55. Improvements in split tensile strength and pore structure of the concrete were also recorded.

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