Experimental Study on Rice Straw as a Sustainable Building Material

Straw, a readily available agricultural byproduct, poses significant disposal challenges, leading to environmental and health concerns. The alarming consequences of stubble burning release approximately 19 million tonnes of harmful gases annually, contributing substantially to air pollution, soil degradation, and climate change. This staggering amount accounts for 25-30% pollution woes of cities like Delhi and severely impacts the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain. The combustion of stubble unleashes a toxic cocktail of pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Straw bale building blocks offer a sustainable solution for eco-friendly construction. This experimental study explores the feasibility of utilizing rice straw as a sustainable building material. The blocks were fabricated by mixing laterite soil, rice straw, cement and water in varying proportions. The mechanical properties are evaluated, including compressive strength, durability, indirect tensile strength, impact resistance tests