Rice husk ash and recycled sand as synergistic substitutes in ultra-high performance concrete: Microstructural, mechanical performance, and eco-economic analysis

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Quartz sand and silica fume (SF), commonly used in UHPC production, are costly and contribute to dust pollution and significant carbon emissions. In this work, we explored the preparation of an environmentally friendly ultra-high performance concrete (e-UHPC) by substituting SF and quartz sand with rice husk ash (RHA) in ratios of 10 %, 20 %, and 30 %, and recycled building sand (RS) in ratios of 25 %, 50 %, and 75 %. We assessed the impact of these substitutions on workability, mechanical strength, hydration products, and the micromechanical characteristics of the interfacial transition zone. In addition, an environmental and economic assessment index for e-UHPC was introduced. Results showed that while RHA and RS reduced the flowability of e-UHPC, RHA helped mitigate the compressive strength loss due to RS (3.9 %-9.7 %). RHA accelerated early hydration, and improved densification in the transition zone, enhancing late hydration and refining the pore structure of e-UHPC. Notably, a 10 % RHA replacement rate optimally improved early hydration efficiency and minimized CH content. The combination of 10 % RHA and 25 % RS proved most effective in optimizing the interfacial transition zone and improving the pore structure of e-UHPC. Importantly, e-UHPC reduces the carbon footprint at a lower cost and offers significant environmental and economic advantages over traditional UHPC. The results of this study will promote the incorporation of construction and agricultural wastes into concrete.