Influence of rice husk ash inclusion on electrical characteristics of dry cement mortar

Abstract

Rice husk is usually generated as waste in large quantities but yet to be optimally utilized. Due to the pollution effects associated with poor approach prevalently adopted for its disposal, valorizing it into economical and sustainable material for building construction is a necessary option to provide solution for future generation. In this research, separate dry mortars were prepared using cement grades 32.5R and 42.5N and the influence of rice husk ash (RHA) inclusion on their electrical characteristics was investigated. The materials used were batched by volume and the RHA was utilized as a partial substitute for cement at 10 % level. All the samples were cured for 21 days and then allowed to dry completely prior to the tests implementation. The results showed decrease in electrical resistance with temperature (ranging from 20oC to 50oC) due to incorporation of the RHA. Though samples with the RHA content possessed ability to act as smart mortars for temperature monitoring/sensing, utilization of cement grade 42.5N ensured a better performance. By utilizing rice husks in such undertakings, their associated disposal problems could be tackled and construction of inexpensive but sustainable building with large temperature sensing capability could be enhanced.