Properties of freshly mixed self-consolidating concretes incorporating rice husk ash as a supplementary cementing material

This paper presents the key properties of freshly mixed self-consolidating concrete (SCC) incorporating rice husk ash (RHA). Air-entrained SCC mixtures were produced based on the water/binder (W/B) ratios of 0.30–0.40. RHA was used substituting 0–30% of cement by weight. The fresh properties investigated were filling ability, passing ability, segregation resistance, air content, and unit weight. The effects of RHA and W/B ratio on these properties were observed. Test results revealed that the fresh properties were significantly influenced by the W/B ratio and RHA content of concrete. RHA also affected air entrainment and decreased the unit weight of concrete.

► The filling ability and passing ability of concrete increase with lower W/B ratio. ► The concrete filling ability and passing ability increase with higher RHA content. ► Visual inspection is not always suitable to identify segregation in concrete. ► Air entrainment in concrete is affected at lower W/B ratio and higher RHA content. ► The optimum RHA content to produce good self-consolidating concrete is 10–15%.