Study on using rice husk ash from ceramic kiln as a partial alternative for cement in mortar

Abstract

The production of cement requires a significant amount of energy and resources. Rice husk ash is known as a highly active pozzolan material and can partially replace cement in the production of mortar and concrete. This paper presents the use of rice husk ash that is recovered from burning rice husks in a local ceramic kiln. In this study, rice husk ash is used as a replacement for cement in different dosages of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The strength of the specimens was assessed at 7, 28, and 56 days of age. According to the results, rice husk ash added in amounts ranging from 5% to 15% performed equivalent to ordinary mortar in compressive strength.

Keywords: Rice husk ash; pozzolan; cement supplementary material; mortar.