Effect of Calcination on the Chemical and Microstructural Properties of Rice Husk Ash
Khalil Ur Rehman *
National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning (NIUIP), University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Afaq Ahmad
National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning (NIUIP), University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Fawad Ahmad
National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning (NIUIP), University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Ezaz Ali Khan
National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning (NIUIP), University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Muhammad Armaghan Siffat
National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning (NIUIP), University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research study is aimed to evaluate the effects of different calcination temperatures on the properties of rice husk ash such as the chemical and microstructural properties. Rice husk ash is not utilized properly; it is not dumped with proper handling which is also causing environmental issues. Currently researchers are working on supplementary cementitious materials in concrete, in light of which, this research study is aimed to evaluate the effects of burning on Rics Husk Ash (RHA) structure and its pozzolanic reactivity for utilizing it in concrete. The rice husk is burnt at temperatures of 600-800°C for a duration of 8, 16 and 24 hours and for evaluating different chemical and structural properties through tests of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). It is concluded that burning of rice husk at 600-800°C for duration of 24 hours gives us more reactive and amorphous material and can be used as a cement substitute for sustainable concrete production.
Keywords: RHA, calcination, microstructural properties, supplementary cementious material, controlled burning