Research Article Published: July 15, 2025 Volume 1, Issue 5

Optimizing Compressive Strength and Sustainability in Concrete: A Statistical and Experimental Analysis of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as a Partial Cement Replacement

Authors

Isaac Enuma*1

Affiliation: Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria

Mujeeb Salam2

Affiliation: Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Yusuf Kareem3

Affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Toheeb Animashaun4

Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Owolabi Abraham5

Affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Jolayemi Yusuf6

Affiliation: Department of Material Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Ayomikun Sanyaolu7

Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Olabisi Olabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

Ademola Okunjoyo8

Affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the impact of partially replacing cement with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on the compressive strength of concrete, using both experimental and statistical approaches. The goal is to assess how RHA affects the properties of concrete, from material characteristics to strength performance, while also analyzing the consistency of the results through statistical methods.

To achieve this, tests were conducted on the materials used, including cement, fine and coarse aggregates, and RHA. The sieve analysis showed a fineness modulus of 2.95 and a coefficient of uniformity of 3.035, while the specific gravity test gave a value of 2.49. Concrete mixes were prepared using water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.37, 0.50, and 0.55, corresponding to 0%, 10%, and 20% RHA replacement. As the RHA content increased, workability decreased, as observed in the slump test. Compressive strength tests were carried out to understand how RHA replacement affects concrete strength, and statistical methods—including revised mean and covariance, experimental mean and covariance, and within-test data analysis—were used to interpret the variations in results.

This study evaluates the effect of a 10% replacement of cement with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on the revised compressive strength variability of concrete at different water-cement (w/c) ratios. The analysis considers the mean compressive strength, revised Coefficient of Variation (COV), and standard deviation for w/c ratios of 0.37, 0.50, and 0.55. The results indicate that the highest mean strength (28 MPa) and lowest variability (COV = 0.14, SD = 3.87 MPa) were observed at a w/c ratio of 0.37, suggesting better consistency and strength performance. Conversely, an increase in w/c ratio to 0.50 and 0.55 led to a decrease in mean strength (25.3 MPa and 24 MPa, respectively) and higher variability, highlighting the sensitivity of RHA-modified concrete to water content.

Keywords

Rice Husk Ash (RHA) Sustainable concrete Compressive strength Cement replacement Statistical variability Water-cement ratio (w/c) Pozzolanic materials Green construction Material characterization Structural integrity

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APA Style:

Enuma, I., Salam, M., Kareem, Y., Animashaun, T., Abraham, O., Yusuf, J., Sanyaolu, A., & Okunjoyo, A. (2025). Optimizing Compressive Strength and Sustainability in Concrete: A Statistical and Experimental Analysis of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as a Partial Cement Replacement. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, 1(5), 37-54.

IEEE Style:

I. Enuma, M. Salam, Y. Kareem, T. Animashaun, O. Abraham, J. Yusuf, A. Sanyaolu, and A. Okunjoyo, "Optimizing Compressive Strength and Sustainability in Concrete: A Statistical and Experimental Analysis of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as a Partial Cement Replacement," International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 37-54, 2025.

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