A Study on Effective Use of Rice Husk Ashes in Geotechnical Applications

Vamsi Nagaraju.T.et al. Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications www.ijera.com
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 6, Issue 4, (Part - 4) April 2016, pp.11-16
www.ijera.com 11|P a g e
A Study on Effective Use of Rice Husk Ashes in Geotechnical
Applications
Vamsi Nagaraju.T*, Satyanarayana.P.V.V**,Revanth Kumar.P***,Anantha
Rao.S****
*(PG Student,Department of Civil Engineering, Andhra University, Visakahapatnam-530003
** (Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Andhra University, Visakahapatnam-530003
*** (PG student, Department of Civil Engineering, Andhra University, Visakahapatnam-530003
****(PG student, Department of Civil Engineering, Andhra University, Visakahapatnam-530003
ABSTRACT:
RHA is an agricultural industrial waste which is nearly 100 million tons, requires huge quantities of land for its
disposal. To utilize these huge quantities in several civil engineering applications, physical and engineering
properties has been identified to study the quality of RHA. In this connection Gradation, Seepage, compaction,
strength and chemical composition tests were conducted. Test results shows there are non-plastic, porous, elongated
light weight materials and dominated by siliceous materials. These have low dry densities at high moisture contents
achieved high values of shear strength (φ> 36o
) and CBR (>7) can be use as Embankment, structural fill and sub
grade material. Pozzolanic nature of Rice Husk Ashes helps to achieve high strengths with chemical addictives
exposed to curing
Keywords – Compaction, CBR, Rice Husk Ash, SEM
I. INTRODUCTION
Rice Husk Ash is an Agricultural Industrial Waste
produced by burning of Rice Husk a residue from
milling of paddy. In India 100 million tons of paddy
is produced annually out of which 20 million tons as
Rice Husk by burning it produces 20% of ash. Bulk
production of Rice Husk Ash needs huge quantities
of lands for its disposal and threat to environment.
Construction activities have been giving
opportunities for the bulk utilization of various
industrial wastes. In this concern Rice Husk Ash has
been studied for its bulk utilization in Geotechnical
construction activities.
Researchers contributed its utilization in various
fields can be summarized below. Sharma R.S et.al
(2008)7
studied lime, calcium chloride and Rice
Husk Ash on engineering properties of expansive
soils, Ali M et.al (2004)3
studied Rice Husk Ash and
lime on properties of Bentonite. Sabat A.K et.al
(2011)4
studied the effect of Marble dust on strength
and durability of Rice Husk Ash stabilized expansive
soils. Bhasin et.al (1988)2
studied utilization waste
materials for the construction of roads. Satyanarayana
PVV et.al (2003)5
studied Use of Rice Husk Ash
,Lime,and Gypsum in strengthening Subgrade vamsi
mohan et al (2012)6
studied Performance of Rice
Husk Ash Bricks. Noor et.al (1990)3
studied Rice
Husk Ash and cement combinations with respect to
Compaction, Compressive strength, Tensile strength
and Durability aspects.
In the present study engineering properties of Rice
Husk Ash have been studied with respect to
compaction, strength etc for their bulk utilization in
embankment material, fill material in road
construction and in other civil engineering
applications.
II. MATERIALS
To study the physical and engineering properties of
Rice husk ashes (RHA) eight sources were identified
from coastel districts of Andhra pradesh and are
named as Tekkali and Narasannapeta(N.peta), in
Srikakulam district, Padal peta(P.Peta), and jammu in
Vizianagaram district, Maddi in Vishakapatnam
district,and Sesali, Kalla, kallakuru(K.kuru) in
Westgodavari districts in Andhra Pradesh. These
samples were dried and tested for various physical
and engineering properties.
RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS

2.1 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
Table-1physical properties of Rice husk ash
From the physical identification, majority of the Rice
husk ashes appear in grey colour where as Tekkali
Rice husk ash in light black colour. The colour of
Rice husk ash is mainly depends on the type of Rice
husk, burning temperature and type and time of
burning etc., These rice husk ashes have coarse
texture. These Rice husk ashes occupied volume in
the range of 30-35cc for a mass of 10g and exhibited
density in free pouring condition are in the range of
0.29-0.33g/cc. Based on these properties these can be
identified as high volume ashes It is also identified
that the Rice husk ashes have obtained specific
gravities are in the range of 1.8-1.9. Low specific
gravities are due to presence of silica and absence of
heavy metal minerals.
Hence from the observations of physical
properties, Rice husk ashes can be identified as light
weight, high volume, siliceous, porous with coarse
texture and honeycombing arrangement of particles
2.2 ENGINEERING PROPERTIES:
To know the behavior of Rice husk ashes and to
predict their engineering behavior tests like
gradation, consistency, compaction, permeability,
strength and compression were performed as per IS
2720 and results are shown below.
Table 4.2 Grain size Characteristics IS: 2720 Part 4, 1985
D10mm 0.035 0.04 0.055 0.05 0.046 0.051 0.046 0.05 0.035-0.055
D30
0.14 0.13 0.13 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.18 0.16 0.13-0.18
D50
0.28 0.3 0.2 0.29 0.26 0.28 0.03 0.28 0.03-0.3
D60
0.32 0.33 0.27 0.32 0.31 0.31 0.32 0.31 0.27-0.33
D90
0.4 0.4 0.39 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.39-0.4
Cu 9.14 8.25 4.91 6.4 6.74 6.08 6.96 6.2 4.91-9.14
Cc 1.75 1.28 1.14 1.23 1.8 2.05 2.2 1.65 1.14-2.2
Locations Tekkali P Peta N Peta Maddi Sesali Kalla K.Kuru Jammu
Property
Colour light black grey grey grey Grey grey grey grey
Texture coarse coarse coarse coarse coarse coarse coarse coarse
Specific Gravity(g) 1.83 1.8 1.86 1.9 1.85 1.82 1.83 1.82
Density (Ɣ)g/cc 0.29 0.33 0.31 0.33 0.33 0.29 0.31 0.33
Volume(cc) For
10g
35 30 32 30 30 34 32 30
Size
(mm)
% Finer
Tekkali P.Peta N.peta Maddi Sesali Kalla K. Kuru Jammu Ranges
10 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
4.75 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2.36 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
1.18 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
0.6 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
0.425 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
0.3 54 51 68 54 58 55 52 56 51-68
0.15 33 35 38 35 30 25 26 28 26-38
0.075 16 18 15 16 19 15 18 17 15-19
0.03 0 2 0 2 1 1 2 0 0-2

Fig.1-8 Grain size distribution curves
From the test results it is identified that all the RHAs
are dominated by fine sand size particles (<425µm) it
is also percentages of fines (<75µm) is the range of
15-19% the maximum size particle 425µm. And
minimum size of particle is 0.03mm based on
IS1498-1970.These are classified as silty sand with
non-plastic nature
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
TEKKALI
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
P. PETA
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
N.PETA
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
MADDI
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
SESALI
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer Grain size (mm)
KALLA
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
K.KURU
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
%Finer
Grain size (mm)
JAMMU

Table.2.Engineering Properties of Rice Husk Ashes
Fig.9-16 Compaction Characteristics Bar Charts
Property Tekkali P.Peta N.Peta Maddi Sesali Kalla K.Kuru Jammu
Optimum moisture content
(%)
38 37 35 34 34.5 35.5 34 34
Max dry density(g/cc) 0.7 0.72 0.73 0.78 0.74 0.73 0.75 0.76
California bearing ratio (%) 8 8 8 8.5 7.5 7 7.5 8
Coefficient of
permeability(k)
cm/sec,10-3
5.29 6.8 7.3 7.0 6.3 5.6 4.8 7.2
Angle of shearing
resistance (Ø)
1)UU 36 37 35 37 36 35 36 37
2)CD 38 38 37 39 37 37 39 40
Loose Condition (g/cc) 0.21 0.21 0.22 0.23 0.20 0.20 0.21 0.22
Vibrator Condition(g/cc) 0.32 0.325 0.30 0.32 0.30 0.31 0.33 0.32

Compaction test data shows these Rice husk ashes
are exhibited low dry densities in the range of 0.72-
0.76g/cc and high OMC in the range of 34-38, low
dry densities are due low specific gravity nature and
poor graded of particles. High OMC are due to
elongated, porous nature of particles. Where the
ashes are in vibrated condition, the maximum density
to attain the range of 0.35-0.38g/cc. where in the
loose state 0.22-0.23g/cc. From the test results it is
seen that RHA are attained high densities in
compacted condition than in vibrated condition, this
is due to the volume of water makes the RHA
particles to roll and attain dense packing.
shear characteristics of Rice husk ashes show, the
angle of shear resistance in undrained condition (Φuu)
is in the range of 35-37o
, where as in drained
condition it is 37-40o
this shows the shear resistance
of rice husk ashes show good strength in drainage
condition also CBR values of these rice husk ashes
are in the range of 7-8.5. It shows rice husk ashes
offer good resistance under compression.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
Table.4.Chemical Compounds
Fig 21.and 22 SEM for N.Peta soil
Chemical
Composition
Tekkali P.Peta N.Peta Maddi Sesali Kalla K.Kuru Jammu
SiO2 (%) 97.69 96.93 96.55 96.83 97.21 97.55 97.25 96.87
Al2O3(%) 0 0.67 0.26 0.31 0.46 0.53 0.51 0.58
Fe2O3(%) 0.22 0.43 0.22 0.28 0.12 0.15 0.18 0.35
CaO (%) 0.29 0.08 0.59 0.52 0.39 0.30 0.33 0.10
MgO (%) 0 0.30 0.48 0.40 0 0.29 0.15 0.35
Na2O(%) 0.41 0.40 0 0.38 0 0 0 0.45
K2O(%) 1.39 1.19 1.89 1.28 2.82 1.18 1.58 1.30

From the chemical composition of Rice Husk Ashes
it is identified that SiO2 is dominating as its range is
97-98% .These Rice Husk Ashes have very low
percentages of CaO which is in the range of 0.08-
0.59% (< 1%). Hence these non-self pozzolanic and
can be pozzolanic with addictives like Lime, Cement
and Sodium silicates etc.
IV. IDENTIFICATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS:
1. RHAs are coarse grained, non-plastic, porous,
elongated particles.
2. These have low specific gravity and poorly graded
particle size distribution which gives low dry
densities and High optimum moisture contents
3. Moisture contents in compacted played a big role
in achieving dense.
4. Presence of very high quantities of SiO2 makes
RHAs as pozzalonic and can achieve high strength
with chemical addictives with curing.
5. High strength characteristics such as high angle
shear resistance and high CBR can be useful in
Embankments, Fill materials and Sub grade materials
in road construction.
6. It can also used in stabilization of fine grained soils
Due to its inherent quantities like non-plastic and
porous nature
CONCLUSIONS:
RHA’S are porous, non-plastic, low strength and
siliceous and high volume material, which exhibited
high strength in terms of angle of shearing resistance
and CBR, can be used as Fill, Embankment and Sub
Research and Applications. ISSN: 2248-9622. Pp:
1906-1910. Grade materials. Due to pozzolanic
nature when there inter acted with chemical
addictives these gives high strengths with curing
time.
REFERENCES
[1] Ali M, Sreenivasulu V (2004). “An
Experimental Study on the Influence of Rice
Husk Ash and Lime on Properties of
Bentonite”, Proceedings of Indian
Geotechnical Conference, Warangal (India)
pp:468-471.
[2] Bhasin N.K, Goswami N.K ,Oli P, Krishan N,
Lal N.B (1988), “ A Laboratory Study on
Utilization of Waste Materials for the
Construction of Roads in Black Cotton Soil
Areas”, High way research bulle-tin, No.36,
pp-1
[3] Noor M , Abdol Aziz A, Suhadi R(1990), “
Effects of cement Rice Husk Ash mixtures on
compaction, strength and durability of Melaka
series Lateritic soil” , Journal of Institution of
Engineers Malaysia, 47:61-64.
[4] Sabat A.K and Nanda R.P. (2011), “Effect of
marble dust on strength and durability of Rice
Husk Ash stabilized Expansive soil”,
International Journal of Civil and Structural
Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 4,pp:939-948.
[5] Satyanarayana P.V.V, Rama Rao R (2003), “
Use of Rice Husk Ash ,Lime,and Gypsum in
strengthening Subgrade and subbase in low
cost Roads” , National Conference on modern
cement concrete and Bituminous roads . Dec
18-2003, pp:374-378
[6] Vamsi mohan N, Satyanarayana P.V.V,
Srinivas Rao K (2012), “Performance of
Rice Husk Ash Bricks”, International Journal
of Engineering Research and Applications.
ISSN: 2248-9622.Vol 2 issue 5, Pp:1906-
1910.
[7] Sharma R.S, Phani Kumar B.R and Rao B.V
(2008), “ Engineering Behaviour of a
Remoulded Expansive Clay Blended with
Lime, Calcium Chloride and Rice Husk
Ash”, Journal of Materials in Civil
Engineering, ACSE,Vol.20,No.8, pp:509-
515

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