Unconfined Compressive Strength Performance of Cement Stabilized Peat with Rice Husk Ash as a Pozzolan

Abstract:

Peat is known to be highly compressible in nature due to its extremely high content of organic matter. As such, it is never a suitable foundation soil for construction purpose. Under such condition, it is compelling to investigate the underlying binding action of suitable materials that can be sustainably applied to stabilize the soil. The primary focus of this research article is to evaluate the effectiveness of rice husk ash as partial cement replacement in peat stabilization. Rice husk ash is basically a pozzolanic material which is produced by burning rice husk from the milling of paddy. Other than rice husk ash, Portland composite cement, calcium chloride, and silica sand were used as the materials for stabilizing the peat. An experimental based program was developed to gage the pertinent aspects that influenced the strength behavior of the stabilized peat. The strength behavior of the stabilized peat was evaluated on the basis of the results from unconfined compression tests. It was found from the test results that by partially replacing 10% of the cement with rice husk ash at an initial pressure of 50 kPa, binder dosage of 300 kg m^-3, silica sand dosage of 596 kg m^-3 and a curing time of 28 days, the required unconfined compressive strength of 345 kPa could be exceeded. The positive result confirmed the role of rice husk ash at imparting filler and pozzolanic effects that enhanced the strength of the stabilized peat.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 567)
• Pages: 545-550
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.567.545
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Leong Sing Wong*
• Keywords: Binding Action, Cement, Peat, Pozzolanic Material, Rice Husk Ash

References

[1] D.G. Nair, A. Fraaij, A. Klaassen, A. Kentgens, A structural investigation relating to the pozzolanic activity of rice husk ashes, Cement Concrete Res. 38 (2008) 861-869.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.10.004

[2] H. Chao-Lung, B.L. Anh-Tuan, C. Chun-Tsun, Effect of rice husk ash on the strength and durability characteristics of concrete, Constr Build Mater. 25 (2011) 3768-3772.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.04.009

[3] B. Chatveera, P. Lertwattanaruk, Durability of conventional concretes containing black rice husk ash, J Environ Manage. 92 (2011) 59-66.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.08.007

[4] K. Ganesan, K. Rajagopal, K. Thangavel, Rice husk ash blended cement: Assessment of optimal level of replacement for strength and permeability properties of concrete, Constr Build Mater. 22 (2008) 1675-1683.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.06.011

[5] R. Khan, A. Jabbar, I. Ahmad, W. Khan, A.N. Khan, J. Mirza, Reduction in environmental problems using rice-husk ash in concrete, Constr Build Mater. 30 (2012) 360-365.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.11.028

[6] S.N. Raman, T. Ngo, P. Mendis, H.B. Mahmud, High-strength rice husk ash concrete incorporating quarry dust as a partial substitute for sand, Constr Build Mater. 25 (2011) 3123-3130.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.12.026

[7] M.F.M. Zain, M.N. Islam, F. Mahmud, M. Jamil, Production of rice husk ash for use in concrete as a supplementary cementitious material, Constr Build Mater. 25 (2011) 798-805.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.07.003

[8] L.S. Wong, R. Hashim, F. Ali, Utilization of sodium bentonite to maximize the filler and pozzolanic effects of stabilized peat, Eng Geol. 152 (2013) 56-66.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.10.019

[9] L.S. Wong, R. Hashim, F. Ali, Improved strength and reduced permeability of stabilized peat: Focus on application of kaolin as a pozzolanic additive, Constr Build Mater. 40 (2013) 783-792.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.11.065

[10] M.S. Pakbaz, R. Alipour, Influence on cement addition on the geotechnical properties of an Iranian clay, Appl Clay Sci. 67-68 (2012) 1-4.

DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2012.07.006

[11] S. Hebib, E.R. Farrell, Some experiences on the stabilization of Irish peats, Can Geotech J. 40 (2003) 107-120.

DOI: 10.1139/t02-091

[12] F. Sariosseiri, B. Muhunthan, Effect of cement treatment on geotechnical properties of some Washington State soils, Eng Geol. 104 (2009) 119-125.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.09.003

[13] R. Whitlow, Basic soil mechanics, fourth ed., Pearson Education, London, (2001).

[14] H. Chen, Q. Wang, The behavior of organic matter in the process of soft soil stabilization using cement, Bull Eng Geol Environ. 65 (2006) 445-448.

DOI: 10.1007/s10064-005-0030-1

[15] A. Naji Givi, S. Abdul Rashid, F.N.A. Aziz, M.A. Mohd Salleh, Assessment of the effects of rice husk ash particle size on strength, water permeability and workability of binary blended concrete, Constr Build Mater. 24 (2010) 2145-2150.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122929

[16] R.M. Ferraro, A. Nanni, Effect of off-white rice husk ash on strength, porosity, conductivity and corrosion resistance of white concrete, Constr Build Mater. 31 (2012) 220-225.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.12.010

[17] G. Sua-iam, N. Makul, Utilization of limestone powder to improve the properties of self-compacting concrete incorporating high volumes of untreated rice husk ash as fine aggregate, Constr Build Mater. 38 (2013) 455-464.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.08.016

[18] A.L.G. Gastaldini, M.P. da Silva, F.B. Zamberlan, C.Z. Mostardeiro, Total shrinkage, chloride penetration, and compressive strength of concretes that contain clear-colored rice husk ash, Constr Build Mater. 54 (2014) 369-377.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.12.044