Experimental Study in the Modification of Mortar Samples with Incorporated Rice Husk

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of rice husk (RH) on the properties of mortar. Two different RH were used as integral additives in the mortar samples: direct natural RH addition to the mortar and the use of pretreated RH. The results of such modification are described, taking into consideration the interaction between the RH and mortar. In addition, the physical properties, visual observation and microstructure of mortar prepared with different amount of modified RH were experimentally studied. The test results indicated that modification of RH enhanced the interaction between the RH and mortar because of the impurities removal and rougher surface. Comparing with the natural RH, the modification of RH increases the density and the mechanical properties. The addition of RH can increase the pore number of the mortar mixture, resulting in decrease in the density and mechanical properties of mortar. Morphology characterization results showed that the modification of RH results in an improvement in the interaction between the RH and mortar and further increase in RH content increases the number of pores in the mortar structure.