On the Various Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete Using Rice Husk Ash

Date of Award

5-1-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics

First Advisor

Joel T. Maquiling, PhD

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a special mixture that offers advantages, such as high flowability and better compaction. Combining SCC with natural pozzolans through partial cement replacement considerably influences the filling and passing abilities, and the segregation resistance, while generating prolonged mechanical properties including durability. In particular, the incorporation of rice husk ash (RHA) as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in an alkali environment promotes enhanced microstructure owing to its very reactive fine silica. However, there is limited evidence reported on the effects of RHA on SCC’s overall flowability, pozzolanic, durability, microstructural analyses, and radiation shielding effects. Here we report favorable effects of the aforementioned properties on the compressive strength, durability, and pozzolanic performance of SCC by partially replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with rice husk ash. These results can be gleaned from the chemical bonds, mineral phase, and morphological analysis using FTIR, XRD, and SEM, respectively. Moreover, simulation results of the radiation shielding effect prove that the prominent interaction mechanisms for RHA-SCC are photoelectric absorption, incoherent scattering, and pair production in the nuclear field. Results reveal improved radiation shielding effect.

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