Sustainable application of rice husk and rice straw in cellular concrete composites

This study seeks to evaluate the effect of incorporating rice husk and rice straw as a sealing material, and to evaluate the mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and durability properties of the cellular concrete that will be used. A sustainable use option for rice culture waste is provided and detailed in this paper. This study seeks to improve the thermoacoustic performance of cellular concrete using only rice husk by adding rice straw. The introduction of straw reduced the compressive strength by about 15% and increased the threepoint bending strength. Sound absorption increased when adding rice straw, and the sound insulation values were statistically similar. With respect to the thermal analysis, the thermal conductivity was directly proportional to the straw length. In general, the best formulation was S-15%-3, which contained 15% rice straw at 3 cm. Specimens were submitted to wetting-and-drying cycles to evaluate durability, leading to increased compressive strength, which also increased with longer curing times. Furthermore, the cycles led to a reduction in the three-point bending strength while the thermal conductivity remained similar. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to improve the thermoacoustic performance of cellular concrete by adding rice straw to rice husk, reducing compressive strength but increasing three-point bending strength, and improving sound absorption. Wetting-and-drying cycles could enhance the compressive strength of specimens, while longer curing times also contributed to increased durability.