Comparison of two processes for treating rice husk ash for use in high performance concrete

Rice husk ashes (RHA) have been used as pozzolanic admixtures for high performance concrete (HPC). This study reports on a chemical treatment before burning that improves the effectiveness of the RHA. The resulting ash (ChRHA) was compared to ash produced by conventional incineration (TRHA). The digestive chemical treatment before burning produced an RHA with properties comparable to silica fume. The ChRHA was highly amorphous, white in color, presented higher specific surface area and exhibited greater pozzolanic activity. The fresh and hardened properties of HPC made with different percentages of these RHAs were compared. The hardened concrete testing included the determination of the modulus of elasticity and the compressive and flexural properties. It was shown that ChRHA and TRHA were effective supplementary cementing materials, although concrete mixes required higher dosages of superplasticizer compared to the control concrete mix.