Utilizing Carbonized Rice (Oryza sativa) Hull Ash from Pilmico Waste as an Admixture for Concrete Posts

Concrete, essential for construction due to its strength and adaptability, contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from the production of Portland Cement, which consumes natural resources and energy.This study explored the potential of using carbonized rice hull ash (CRHA), a byproduct from Pilmico, an agricultural company in Iligan City, as an eco-friendly admixture in concrete.The study used an experimental design to create concrete posts with varying CRHA-to-cement ratios.A 1:7 (cement:sand) mixture, measured by volume, served as the control, comprising seven buckets of sand, one bucket of Portland cement, and half a bucket of water.Treatments included CRHA additions of bucket (T1), bucket (T2), and bucket (T3).Compressive strength tests, compared with control and commercial posts, were conducted at Allied Material Testing Laboratories after 20 and 30 days of curing to assess durability and strength.The high silica content of Pimlico's CRHA (89.61%) enhances pozzolanic reactivity but reduces compressive strength as its proportion increases.Treatments with 25%, 50%, and 75% CRHA substitution showed decreasing strength, with T1 (979-1112 Psi) outperforming T2 and T3.The control mixture (2100-3200 Psi) remained superior.Higher CRHA content caused structural damage, darker coloration, and workability issues due to lack of proper hydration of posts.Variations in CRHA quality and alkali-silica reactions also compromised durability.The study concludes that while CRHA enhances environmental sustainability, higher concentrations may compromise compressive strength and alter general appearance, necessitating careful use in structural applications.Further research is needed to optimize CRHA ratios and evaluate additional properties to balance environmental benefits with mechanical performance..