Compressive Strength Of Rice Husk Ash-Cement Sandcrete Blocks

Abstract

There is growing demand for alternative, low-cost building material in developing countries. The effect of partial substitution of ordinary Portland cement with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on the compressive strength of hollow sandcrete block was investigated through laboratory experimental procedures. The specific gravity, initial and final setting times of RHA were determined. 150 x 450 mm hollow sandcrete blocks were cast, cured and crushed for 7, 14 and 28 days at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 percent replacement levels. Results showed that the compressive strength of blocks increased with curing age but decreased with increasing percentage of rice husk ash. It can be concluded from this study that Portland cement could partially be substituted with unground RHA to a level of 17.5 per cent to produce sandcrete blocks as building units. Keywords: Cement, compression, Rice-Husk-Ash and Sandcrete-blockGlobal Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 43-46