Compressive Strength of Hollow Sandcrete Blocks Made with Rice Husk Ash as a Partial Replacement to Cement

Abstract

Sandcrete hollow blocks have gained wide publicity and patronage in the construction industry. The cost of cement used in the production of sandcrete blocks is on the increase and unaffordable for the average Nigerian. Waste such as rice husk, which is seen polluting the environment are collected and burnt at 600̊C to produce rice husk ash (RHA), which in turn was used as pozzolana in sandcrete block production. Hollow sandcrete blocks were produced at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent ash to cement replacement. A total of 120 blocks were produced and cured by water sprinkling at 1, 3, 7, 21 and 28 days. Properties such as compressive strength, density and water absorption were determined. The results showed that blocks made at 30% RHA to cement replacement meet the replacements specified by BS 2028 (1968) and Federal Ministry of Works (FMW), (1979). Finally, the study calls for the use of rice husk ash (RHA) in the production of hollow blocks.