Use of Rice Straw Ash as Pozzolanic Material in Cement Mortar

Abstract

In this paper an experimental study was made on the effects of using Rice Straw Ash (RSA) as a partial replacement of cement in mortar. Control specimens with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was made and in other specimens cement were replaced with 5%, 10% and 15% of RSA by weight of cement. Locally available rice straw was burnt to ash in uncontrolled manner in the earthen oven used by the rural people for cooking purpose, which were used in this study. The setting times and compressive strength of that mortar mix using RSA at different percentage of cement replacement was investigated and compared with the control specimen. The tests results obtained shows that setting times are delayed with increased amount of cement replacement and there is enhancement of strength of mortar with certain quantity of replacement of cement with RSA which will lead to reduction of construction cost.