Strength Assessment of Concrete using Rice Husk Ash, Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber and Recycled Concrete Aggregate: A Critical Review

Abstract

In this review study, the effect of three different materials such as rice husk ash, recycled concrete aggregate and Polyvinyl Alcohol fibre was reviewed in detail. Several past studies related to these material usage in strength enhancement of concrete was studied in detail. Rice husk ash is the ash which is mainly derived after burning the waste derived from the rice industry after the processing of rice. Recycled concrete aggregate is mainly the aggregate derived from the constructional waste. Polyvinyl Alcohol fibre is a special type of high strength fibre that is mainly used to improve the flexural strength and internal bonding of the concrete. Numerous studies were discussed in detail and depending upon the studies certain conclusion are drawn which are discussed further. Several studies related to the usage of rice husk ash conclude that the most optimum usage percentage of rice husk ash as partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement was at 10 percent usage. After 10 percent usage strength tends to decline. Results related o usage as partial replacement of natural fine aggregate that is sand showed that it can be used as partial replacement of natural coarse aggregate up to 20 percent and beyond that usage the strength was declining. The studies related to the usage of recycled concrete aggregate conclude that the most optimum percentage of usage of recycled concrete aggregate as partial replacement of natural coarse aggregate was 50 percent replacement and beyond this percentage the strength starts declining so therefore should not be used beyond that limit. Studies related to the usage of Polyvinyl Alcohol fibre revealed that the most optimum percentage of Polyvinyl Alcohol fibre was 1.5 percent and beyond this percentage both the compressive strength of concrete and flexural strength of concrete was declining. Test results concluded that Polyvinyl Alcohol fibre should be used up to 1.5 percent only.