Assessment of the Durability Dynamics of High-Performance Concrete Blended with a Fibrous Rice Husk Ash

Abstract

The present study examines the durability properties of Class 1 (50–75 MPa) high-performance concrete (HPC) blended with rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial replacement of CEM II B-L, 42.5 N. Six HPC mixes were prepared with RHA and used as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of CEM II alone and properties are compared with control mix having only CEM II. The binders (CEM II and RHA) were investigated for particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (SSA), oxide compositions, mineralogical phases, morphology, and functional groups using advanced techniques of laser PSD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR), respectively, to understand their import on HPC. Durability properties, including water absorption, sorptivity, and chemical attack of the HPC samples, were investigated to realise the effect of RHA on the HPC matrix. The findings revealed that the durability properties of RHA-based HPCs exhibited an acceptable range of values consistent with relevant standards. The findings established that self-produced RHA would be beneficial as a cement replacement in HPC. As the RHA is a cost-effective agro-waste, a scalable product of RHA would be a resource for sustainable technology.

Mechanical and microstructural properties of high-performance concrete made with rice husk ash internally cured with superabsorbent polymers

“…The SEM image result regarding the colour bands and morphology of this material have been discussed in an earlier publication by Nduka et al. (2022) .…”

“…The images are asymmetrical, almost angular, and interconnected.

Figure 2 a–c: The SEM images and EDX patterns of CEM II ( Nduka et al., 2022 ).

Figure 3 a–c: Sem images and EDX patterns of RHA ( Nduka et al., 2022 ).

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“…Figure 4 depicts the diffractograms of CEM II at the temperature of manufacture, with reflections of mineral content pointed out in Nduka et al. (2022) .…”

“…The studied result is coherent with the chemical composition data of Portland cement ( Saxena et al., 2020 ).

Figure 4 XRD pattern of CEM II ( Nduka et al., 2022 ).

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“…Consequently, due to the availability of RHA in Nigeria and limited studies using this material in HPC, this paper aimed to investigate the strength and microstructural performance of HPC containing RHA as a partial replacement of cement internally cured with SAP. The present study draws on Nduka et al. (2022) that investigated the usefulness of RHA in improving the durability properties of HPC.…”