Stabilization of Earth Block Using Rice Husk Ash as Partial Replacement in Cement
S. E. Ubi
Department of Civil Engineering, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.
P. O. Nkra
Civil and Building Department, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Rivers / Bayelsa State Office, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
R. B. Agbor *
Environmental Biotechnology Unit, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The most outstanding problem militating the production of earth block in Nigeria, is the exorbitant prices of cement, rice ash replaced with cement, stabilized compressed earth block to carry load. The main objective of this study was to investigate the sustainability of earthen construction block with a partial replacement of cement using Rice Husk Ash (RHA). RHA is a bye-product material obtained from the combustion of rice husk which consists of non-crystalline silicon dioxide with high specific surface area and high pozzolanic reactivity using a set of sieves 3.35um - 63um, weigh balance, oven maintained at a temperature of 105°C and 110°C, six meta trays, a bucket, a soap, wire brushes, and a mechanical shaker. It is used as pozzolanic material in earth block. Testing specimen were determined and examine in structural composition by means of unconfined compressive strength hydraulically compressed for crushing the composition of mix with RHA content ranges from 10% to 50% to respectively. The result of the compressed earth block shows a significant resistance of shear strength of 30 to 90 kg/mm2, proving that stabilized earth block can satisfactorily carry load when structurally loaded and can resist tensile and compressive stresses.
Keywords: Cement, rice, ash, concrete, stabilization