The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar

To enhance sustainability in the construction industry, incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial cement replacement is widely encouraged. Additionally, bio-shells, rich in CaCO₃, pose environmental challenges when improperly discarded, leading to pollution and negative impacts on surrounding c...

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Main Authors: J.X. Zhang, Y.T. Guo, S.Y. Zhuang, H.Q. Lou, Y. Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525002244
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author J.X. Zhang
Y.T. Guo
S.Y. Zhuang
H.Q. Lou
Y. Li
author_facet J.X. Zhang
Y.T. Guo
S.Y. Zhuang
H.Q. Lou
Y. Li
author_sort J.X. Zhang
collection DOAJ
description To enhance sustainability in the construction industry, incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial cement replacement is widely encouraged. Additionally, bio-shells, rich in CaCO₃, pose environmental challenges when improperly discarded, leading to pollution and negative impacts on surrounding communities. This study integrates the beneficial properties of these two waste materials for use in construction. While the effects of RHA on cementitious materials have been extensively studied, limited research has examined the combined influence of RHA and calcined shell powder (CSP) as a partial cement replacement. To explore their potential, RHA and CSP were blended in varying proportions to produce RHA-CSP cement mortar. Experimental results demonstrated that the R15S10 mix achieved the highest mechanical performance by optimizing the balance between pozzolanic reactivity and the filler effect. As hydration progressed, the pozzolanic reaction intensified under high pH conditions, increasing the C-S-H dehydration peak while reducing the CH decomposition peak. Additionally, the incorporation of CSP and RHA refined the pore structure and decreased overall porosity, enhancing mortar compactness. By utilizing these waste materials to create an optimized mix, this study supports the sustainable application of discarded shells and rice husks in construction.
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spelling doaj-art-6ab9ec924cae492982bfd9029b7fb3732025-08-20T02:15:37ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0442610.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04426The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortarJ.X. Zhang0Y.T. Guo1S.Y. Zhuang2H.Q. Lou3Y. Li4Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, ChinaShenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China; Corresponding author.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ChinaSchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, ChinaSchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, ChinaTo enhance sustainability in the construction industry, incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial cement replacement is widely encouraged. Additionally, bio-shells, rich in CaCO₃, pose environmental challenges when improperly discarded, leading to pollution and negative impacts on surrounding communities. This study integrates the beneficial properties of these two waste materials for use in construction. While the effects of RHA on cementitious materials have been extensively studied, limited research has examined the combined influence of RHA and calcined shell powder (CSP) as a partial cement replacement. To explore their potential, RHA and CSP were blended in varying proportions to produce RHA-CSP cement mortar. Experimental results demonstrated that the R15S10 mix achieved the highest mechanical performance by optimizing the balance between pozzolanic reactivity and the filler effect. As hydration progressed, the pozzolanic reaction intensified under high pH conditions, increasing the C-S-H dehydration peak while reducing the CH decomposition peak. Additionally, the incorporation of CSP and RHA refined the pore structure and decreased overall porosity, enhancing mortar compactness. By utilizing these waste materials to create an optimized mix, this study supports the sustainable application of discarded shells and rice husks in construction.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525002244Rice husk ashCalcined shell powderPozzolanic reactionC-S-HComposite cement
spellingShingle J.X. Zhang
Y.T. Guo
S.Y. Zhuang
H.Q. Lou
Y. Li
The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Rice husk ash
Calcined shell powder
Pozzolanic reaction
C-S-H
Composite cement
title The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar
title_full The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar
title_fullStr The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar
title_full_unstemmed The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar
title_short The effect of adding rice husk ash (RHA) and calcined shell powder (CSP) on the properties of cement mortar
title_sort effect of adding rice husk ash rha and calcined shell powder csp on the properties of cement mortar
topic Rice husk ash
Calcined shell powder
Pozzolanic reaction
C-S-H
Composite cement
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525002244
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