Experiments
Experiments
I began the experimental stage of this project by carrying out basic tests to understand the properties of rice husk ash. These included observing its appearance, texture, and smell. The rice husk ash appeared fine and powdery, felt dry to the touch, and did not have a strong smell, which suggested that it could be handled easily and safely for further testing.
I also conducted a pH test to identify its chemical nature. For this experiment, I added 50 grams of rice husk ash to a container and mixed it with 250 millilitres of distilled water. After mixing the solution thoroughly, I tested it using a pH indicator. The results showed that the rice husk ash was alkaline in nature, which is an important property for materials used in construction and supports its potential use as a partial replacement for cement.
Experiment Phase 2:
The second phase of this included me creating two different molds using the rice husk ash that I had previously tested out along with cement and sand. The first mold that I created included 50% Cement, 30% Rice Husk Ash and 20% Sand and in the second mold I switched the proportions of Cement and Rice Husk Ash so the final proportions came out to be 50% Rice Husk Ash, 30% Cement and 20% Sand. I put these mixtures in a cube mold, one frequently used in real estate for the creation of cement and decided to leave it to solidify for a period of around three weeks. Within these three weeks both the molds underwent water curing, a process which involves keeping concrete mixtures moist, to ensure maximum stability.
Experiment Phase 3 :
In the third phase of this experiment I went back to the site and removed both the molds that I had left last time from where they were being cured and stored. Upon opening the cube molds I observed that the mixture with 50% Rice Husk Ash simply fell apart even upon the lightest contact and after speaking with the engineer on site, Mr. Vinayak I learnt that the greater concentration of Rice Husk Ash with a lower concentration of Cement was not able to create strong bonds and solidify. Upon opening the other cube mold I observed that the mixture was much stronger, it was durable, I could lift it up, palm it and I conducted a drop test as well in which I dropped the solid mixture from knee height (0.5 metre) which it survived and did not break upon any further contact. Though I hoped that the mixture with 50% Rice Husk Ash would have survived I was nonetheless pleased with my findings, understanding that even the 30% that I can change using Rice Husk Ash in itself is a big improvement from the current situation.