Mechanical and durability properties of concrete produced with construction and demolition waste and rice husk ash

This study proposes the use of reactive rice husk ash (RHA) to improve the performance of recycled concrete. The concretes were produced with 50% and 100% of CDW mixed aggregate (RMA) replacing the natural aggregate and with RHA replacing Portland cement (10, 15, and 20%). The results showed an increase in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity in concretes with RHA. In durability tests, lower percentages of water absorption were observed for mixtures that used RHA. The RCPT test showed lower load transfer values with the use of RHA, resulting from the lower porosity and refined pore structures, as determined by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry.