Mathematical model of strength and porosity of ternary blend Portland rice husk ash and fly ash cement mortar

This paper presents a mathematical model for strength and porosity of mortars made with ternary blends of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), ground rice husk ash (RHA) and classified fly ash (FA). The mortar mixtures were made with Portland cement Type I containing 0-40% FA and RHA. FA and RHA with 1-3% by weight retained on a sieve No. 325 were used. Compressive strength and porosity of the blended cement mortar at the age of 7, 28 and 90 days were determined. The use of ternary blended cements of RHA and FA produced mixes with good strength and low porosity of mortar. A mathematical analysis and two-parameter polynomial model were presented for the strength and porosity estimation with FA and RHA contents as parameters. The computer graphics of strength and porosity of the ternary blend were also constructed to aid the understanding and the proportioning of the blended system.