Mechanical Properties and Durability of Normal and Water Reduced High Strength Grade 60 Concrete Containing Rice Husk Ash

Abstract

This paper reports an investigation on the strength properties, a time dependent property as well as durability characteristics of normal and water reduced high strength concrete (WRHSC), with or without rice husk ash (RHA), designed to produce Grade 60 at 28 days. RHA was ‘added’ or ‘replaced’ at/by 5% - 20% of the cement content. A PCE superplasti-cizer was added to all mixes to provide workability in the range of 150 - 200 mm slump. Based on the initial trial mixes, four high strength concrete mixes were selected for further tests on mechanical properties (compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, flexural strength and static modulus of elasticity), drying shrinkage and durability (water absorption, sorptivity, chemical resistance to MgSO₄ solution). Incorporation of RHA increases the strength, reduces the drying shrinkage and improves the durability of concrete compared to conventional OPC concrete.