Hydration studies of rice husk ash blended white Portland cement

Hydration properties of rice husk ash (RHA) blended cement have been studied using different experimental techniques. Results show that RHA retards hydration whereas mixtures of coal combustion fly ash and RHA accelerate it. The reaction between RHA and Ca(OH)2 is increased with increase of temperature. Compressive strength at 28 days of hydration has been found to be higher for RHA-blended cement than for white Portland cement alone. The increase in strength may be due to a change in the microstructures of the hydration products in the two cases.