Effects of Rice Husk Ash and Cassava Starch on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete Produced from Petroleum Contaminated Sand

Concrete is a fundamental material in the construction industry due to its strength, resilience, and versatility.However, the presence of petroleum-contaminated sand poses a significant challenge to its structural performance.This study investigates the potential of rice husk ash (RHA) and cassava starch (CS) as eco-friendly additives for remediating the negative effects of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination on concrete properties.Marine sand was deliberately polluted with a mixture of spent engine oil and diesel to simulate field contamination.Concrete samples were prepared using petroleum-contaminated sand (PCS) at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% replacement levels, while varying RHA at 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%, and CS at 0%, 1%, and 2% by weight of cement.The mechanical properties of the concrete, particularly compressive strength, were evaluated following standard procedures.Results showed that petroleum contamination led to a 27.76% reduction in compressive strength.However, the incorporation of RHA and CS significantly improved the strength characteristics and mitigated the adverse effects of the hydrocarbons.The combined use of RHA and CS proved effective in enhancing the mechanical performance of PCS-based concrete, highlighting its potential for sustainable construction applications.