Review of Recent Development Regarding Strength, Durability, and Microstructure Properties of Geopolymer Concrete Containing Rice Husk Ash

Due to the growing infrastructure and the demand for environmentally friendly environments, the use of concrete as a construction material is gradually rising. Since concrete is the second‐most utilized material after water, it is necessary to employ alternative, sustainable materials, particularly those derived from waste. Rice husk ash (RHA) is an agro‐waste from the rice milling industry that produces more than 20 million tons per year worldwide. A significant amount of RHA is discarded as waste material, resulting in substantial pollution. The pozzolanic properties of RHA make it suitable for use in the building industry, providing an alternate solution to its disposal. The utilization of RHA as a binder material in the production of geopolymer concrete or mortar is considered an effective way to prevent this substantial issue. In this review, the production, properties, and utilization of RHA in geopolymers are comprehensively and systematically studied. Moreover, the chemical, physical, and microstructure of various RHA were critically evaluated, and their influence on fresh and hardening characteristics of geopolymers is presented. Numerous research investigations have documented the advantageous impact of RHA on the mechanical, durability, and microstructural characteristics of geopolymers, particularly when utilized at an optimal dosage. In general, this analysis will give researchers and the industrial sector important information about the creation, recycling, properties, and use of RHA in the creation of geopolymers for possible building applications. The study’s findings indicate that RHA shows potential in enhancing the mechanical characteristics, durability, microstructure, and sustainability of geopolymers. Furthermore, RHA has the potential to act as a cobinder by up to 10%–20% without compromising the geopolymers’ performance due to its high pozzolanic properties, in addition to achieve 35–45 MPa when act alone.