The Effect of Using Rice Husk Ash and Rice Husk as Partial Cement Substitutes in Concrete Mixtures

Abstract

Cement production, a critical component in concrete manufacturing, is a significant contributor to air pollution. To address this environmental challenge, identifying sustainable alternatives for partial cement replacement is essential. Indonesia, a major rice-producing country, generates large quantities of rice husk waste and rice husk ash as by-products, which could serve as potential supplementary cementitious materials. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing rice husk waste and rice husk ash as partial cement replacements in concrete mixtures. Cement was partially replaced with rice husk and rice husk ash at proportions of 9.5%, 10.5%, and 11.5%, with 1% superplasticizer added to each mix. The concrete compressive strength tests were conducted at 14 and 28 days, targeting a normal concrete strength of 25 MPa. The findings reveal that the mixture with 9.5% rice husk ash and 1% superplasticizer achieved the highest compressive strength, demonstrating the potential of these by-products in sustainable concrete production.