Compressive Strength of Rice Straw Ash as an

Additive in Concrete and its Workability

College of Computer Studies, Engineering and Architecture

La Salle University – Ozamiz

Dando, Richelle Ghay A.

 Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The world develops together with the civilization, culture and technology as part of human
nature. Due to the increasing awareness to protect our environment, more and more defensible
approach are being introduce, propose and discover the best feasible alternative materials that is
accessible for the daily lives of man. Concrete is a mixture of cement, gravel (coarse aggregate),
sand (fine aggregate) and water. Concrete dries hard and strong, long life lasting, better
performance and continues to be the most influential construction material today and in the
approaching time ahead. The influence of concrete industry on environment is significant. Still,
the use of concrete is limited because of it has a very high compressive strength but with a very
low tensile strength. Industrial by-products in concrete together with the recycling of waste
material is one of the visible application presently. Once studies use agro-waste as a sustainable
materials in the construction industry and can help to conserve our natural resources. Some by
products in industries such as fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag are used as a supplement in
cement for concrete.

Simultaneously, some Filipinos attempt to have firm, stout structures at a cheaper

construction and material costs. Different studies were introduced and being conducted about this
matter to look up for answers to the raising economic matters. To have an economical sturdy
structures, looking for a qualified additive for cement as a supplement in concrete reinforcing
material that is efficient and affordable is prior. And to improve the durability of concrete, multiple
materials are applied. Rice plant is versatile that can be possible to be applied in many ways and
most important to most mankind. The vegetative part of the rice plant is the rice straw, a rice by-
product that is further natural and maintainable resource that could be used to create fibers in
concrete. It can be cut at grain harvest or after. It may be burned and left on the field, but instead
of burning the straw, recycling it with a mixture of cement forms a maintainable low cost building
material, which also reduces atmospheric pollution.
 Apparently, rice is one of the country’s major and abundant agricultural crop that is being
exported to other countries. It is abundant in any part of regions in the Philippines. We hold to its
importance as the source of our food and livelihood in every Filipino people, yet we never find out
rice straw or rice hay necessary even though construction is concerned. Former studies, rice straw
has been used and recycled into cement bricks. Since, rice plant is efficient and has a wide
availability, the concept of using rice straw ash (RSA) as an additive in concrete is adequate. The
rice straw that will be use from the rice plant is dried or after it was harvested. Using rice straw
for preparing building materials, not only to save the raw materials, smaller in costs, but to make
use of waste and secure the environment which have significance on attaining sustainable
development. Nevertheless, waste is a resource. Waste can be a supplement or replacement to any
living or non-living material. But, putting waste to a good use can help to preserve our natural
resources. This research wants to show how much compressive strength the rice straw when it is
added in concrete compared to a conventional concrete and also its workability so that this can be
helpful to the upcoming researchers as there basis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

People from the lower class is unfit of building engineered houses. Those people wants to
have firm structures that are in a cheaper costs. Since, Philippines is known for its abundance in
rice production. The rice straws from the rice plant can be recycled and form into cement bricks
according to former studies. But, the main purpose of this research is to determine the compressive
strength of rice straw ash (RSA) as an additive in concrete and its workability.
Specifically, this research sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the compressive strength of rice straw ash (RSA) mixed in concrete?
2. What will be the outcome in its workability when concrete is mixed with RSA as an additive?
3. How does this concrete with additives such as rice straw ash (RSA) differ to conventional
concrete?
1.3 Objective of the Study

This study aims to have a new source of construction materials aside from the
conventional materials used in construction. The objectives of this research are stated as
follows:

1. To identify the compressive strength of the concrete with rice straw ash (RSA).
2. To determine the workability of concrete with rice straw ash (RSA) as an additive.
3. To determine the significant difference in the compressive strength between a concrete
mixed with rice straw ash (RSA) as an additive and conventional concrete.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This research could presumably give result to the increasing materials cost concrete
construction and will benefit to the following:

Environment. Using rice straw ash (RSA), considering as an agro-waste can be used as a cement
or fine aggregate substitute in concrete. This study will help to minimize the burning of rice straw
ash in rice fields that can cause air pollution seriously affect the greenhouse gas discharge.

Contractors. This study can be a good start to the contractors especially in their business.

Community. This study will help eliminate sources of insect pests, rat infestation and control of
rice diseases.

Future Researchers or Students. This study may serve as educational source or future references
in the field of research studies through some students and researchers who want to enhance their
comprehension on rice straw ash (RSA) as an additive in concrete as materials in concrete
structures.
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study

Compressive strength is the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to reduce
size as opposed to tensile strength, which withstands loads tending to elongate. This study only
focuses on the compressive strength of rice straw ash (RSA) as an additive in concrete and also its
workability as a partial replacement for fine aggregate. This study aims to have a new source of
construction materials aside from the conventional materials used in construction and can help in
minimizing the burning of rice straw ash in rice fields that can cause air pollution seriously affect
the greenhouse gas discharge. Recycling of rice water ash through grinding it into small particles
and will be employed in concrete as a replacement of conventional aggregate which is sand.
Through compression and slump test, the compressive strength and workability of the concrete
with rice straw ash will be determined and the data can be compared to the compressive strength
and workability of a conventional concrete. All aggregates used shall be taken from the sources in
Jimenez, Misamis Occidental including the rice straw. For the RSA that will be used, the type of
rice used in this study is brown rice. However, this study is limited to its compressive strength and
workability and will not include any chemical investigation of this RSA.