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Production of Light Weight Blocks Using Rice Husk

Experiment Findings in International Journal of Environment and Climate Change · October 2021
DOI: 10.9734/IJECC/2021/v11i930473

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International Journal of Environment and Climate Change

11(9): 24-30, 2021; Article no.IJECC.75202

ISSN: 2581-8627
(Past name: British Journal of Environment & Climate Change, Past ISSN: 2231–4784)

Production of Light Weight Blocks Using Rice Husk

C. U. Okpoechi1, C. A. Emma-Ochu1*, L. C. Ibemere1, P. Ibe1, E. O. Onwuka2
and A. O. suagwu2
1Department of Architecture, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Nigeria.
2Department of Building Technology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Nigeria.

Authors’ contributions

This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. All authors read and approved the final
manuscript.

Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/IJECC/2021/v11i930473
Editor(s):
(1) Dr. Wen-Cheng Liu, National United University, Taiwan.
Reviewers:
(1) Satya Prakash Mehra , Rajputana Society of Natural History, India.
(2) Md. Moniruzzaman, Bangladesh Reference Institute for Chemical Measurements (BRiCM), Bangladesh.
(3) Akinfiresoye Waleola Ayo , Federal Polytechnic, Nigeria.
Complete Peer review History: https://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/75202

Received 28 July 2021

Short Research Article Accepted 04 October 2021
Published 06 October 2021

ABSTRACT
Affordable housing has remained a major challenge in Nigeria, as housing costs have continued to
rise beyond the reach of the low income population. This paper explores the use of waste products
like rice husk as alternative materials for housing construction. Rice husk is abundant as a waste
product in areas where rice is processed commercially in Southeast Nigeria. The aim of the study
is to create rice husk blocks that are cheap, lightweight, and appropriate for use in low income
housing construction. The study was conducted through experimentation in the Building
Technology workshop of Federal Polytechnic Nekede. A series of trial mixes were done involving a
wide range of materials and mix proportions. Rice husk, Portland cement, and cassava starch,
were found to be the most appropriate components for the blocks. The blocks produced were of
good appearance, and lightweight. Five samples of solid core blocks measuring 150x150x150mm
were tested in Strength of Materials laboratory of the Federal University of Technology Owerri. The
average compressive strength of the blocks was 0.26N/mm 2, which is below the Nigerian Industrial
Standard NIS 87:2007. The blocks produced were considered appropriate for use as non-load
bearing partitions and not structural walls. The result of the study is promising because the rice
husk blocks help address the waste management problem in affected areas, and could also be an
important component of a potentially useful material. This paper recommends further research in
the area of improving the strength of the blocks, to make them usable as structural components in
low rise buildings.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected];

Okpoechi et al.; IJECC, 11(9): 24-30, 2021; Article no.IJECC.75202

Keywords: Blocks; buildings; lightweight; rice husk; waste reduction.

1. INTRODUCTION [12]. The possibilities for the use of rice husk in

other aspects of building construction can be
Rice milling operations lead to generation of further explored, following from already existing
huge quantities of rice husk as waste. Rice husk results.
is the outer shell of the rice grain which breaks to
expose the rice, and makes up 20% to 22% of As a component in building materials, rice husk
the weight of rice [1].When it is separated from has been used mostly as Rice Husk Ash (RHA).
the grain, it becomes a waste material that is no This involves burning the rice husk under
longer required in further processing of rice. The controlled conditions to remove cellulose and
chemical composition of rice husk varies lignin which are volatile organic matters in rice
depending on climate, geographical location, husk. The resulting residual ash is predominantly
type of paddy, among other factors. On the amorphous silica with a micro porous cellular
average, it is composed of about 40% - 50% structure [3]. The ash of rice husk contains about
cellulose, 25% - 30% lignin, 15% - 20% silica, 90% silica, is highly porous, and has good
and 10% - 15% moisture content. Bulk density of insulating properties [3]. Good results have been
rice husk falls within the range of 90 to 150kg recorded with this material, especially as part
[2,3]. replacement for cement in concrete [13,9].
However, the use of rice husk in its raw state in
In Nigeria, particularly South-eastern Nigeria manufacturing of material for building
which has rice producing communities like construction needs to be further explored,
Abakiliki and Akaeze both in Ebonyi state, rice especially in low income communities where rice
husk is often disposed of in open air heaps, and husk is dumped in large quantities as waste.
left for very long periods of time after which Success in this area will eliminate the need for
sometimes they are burned, also in open air. It is burning, which if uncontrolled, can greatly amplify
estimated that rice husk dumped as waste in air pollution in the affected communities.
Nigeria every year is appropriately 1.1 million Controlled burning, which is the more commonly
metric tonnes [4], and generates millions of explored strategy has the likelihood of taking the
tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere resulting product out of the reach of the low
from burning [5]. The rice husk disposed of in this income earners, as it would likely be done in
way, causes air pollution, thus adding to the properly set up industrial facilities. This approach
waste management problems of an already will to some extent address the issue of
overwhelmed and inefficient system [6]. As a indiscriminate dumping of rice husk as waste, but
result, rice husk has become a threat to the may put the resulting product out of the reach of
environment [5,4], thereby calling for viable intended beneficiaries.
measures of turning such wastes to productive
uses. This research is focused on two aspects of
importance in Nigeria. First is waste
As part of waste recovery strategies, rice husk management, and the second is housing
has been used in different productive affordability. The focus on waste management is
applications. As an organic waste material, rice to address the challenge of creating a clean and
husk has found a variety of uses over time in healthy environment, and reducing attendant
different parts of the world. They have been used hazards and degradation due to open air
as an energy source, and pellets made from a dumping and burning of wastes. The quest for
mixture of rice husks and olive residues have housing affordability on the other hand is
been marketed [7]. Rice husk has also been centered on exploring options in the use of
used for electricity generation in off-grid rural alternative materials that can meet the functional
locations, and for commercial and industrial uses requirements of conventional materials up to an
[5]. As an insulating material, rice husk has been acceptable standard, but at cheaper costs.
used as filling in walls and roofs for many years Housing is a fundamental need in human
in China [8]. In building construction, studies societies, but its availability to the entire
have shown promise on the use of rice husk in population has been limited due to a variety of
development of composite materials. Rice husk factors, chief of which are socio-economic
ash has been used as part replacement for considerations. Affordability of housing especially
cement in concrete [9,10,11].It has also been where land is available, is largely dependent on
proposed as filler in the construction of bricks cost of the materials and components required to

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Okpoechi et al.; IJECC, 11(9): 24-30, 2021; Article no.IJECC.75202

erect the house. In Nigeria, where sandcrete collected in sacks and stored in the workshop.
blocks are used extensively in building Starch was obtained from the open market in
construction, any variation in cost of blocks will Benin in Edo state. The starch used was dried
reflect on the overall cost of the building. cassava starch extracted during commercial
processing of garri, a staple food in the southern
1.1 Aim and Objectives of the Research part of Nigeria. The cassava starch used, though
a by-product of food processing, was also of food
This research into the use of a readily available grade. Starch was used as an additive because
waste material (rice husk) in the production of of its remarkable characteristics, which include
blocks, is aimed at producing relatively cheap high paste viscosity. Clean potable water was
and light weight blocks that can be used in low used for mixing the samples.
cost housing construction, with twin benefits of
reduced cost and ease of placement due to its Special block moulds were fabricated for the
light weight. study. Initial moulds were made of steel, and
The objectives of the research are: designed to interlock. The material and design of
the steel moulds were not compatible with the
1. To design and construct appropriate consistency of the block mixes and were
moulds for the production of lightweight discarded. Polished wood composite material
composite blocks (marine board) was then used for the moulds,
with more satisfactory results. The moulds were
2. To design appropriate mix for the fabricated to be detachable without applying
lightweight blocks, with rice husk as the pressure to the block. This was a precautionary
main component measure to refrain from damaging the blocks
during the de-moulding process. The final
3. To conduct tests to determine accepted moulds were for solid block fabrication
compressive strength and lightweight only.
properties of the blocks produced
2.1 Mix Preparation
4. To determine the appropriateness of the Several trial mixes were done in the course of
developed material for use as a walling the research, many of which were discarded for
material. extremely poor outcomes. Mix proportions were
varied until acceptable outcomes were achieved.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Several trial mixes involving sand, cement,
This study involved a determination of the organic starch and water were made. Rice husk
suitability of rice husk as a component of blocks in its raw state was found not to bind well with
for building construction. The study was carried cement. To achieve a better mix consistency,
out in the concrete workshop of the Building raw starch, being a bye-product of garri
Technology department of The Federal processing was introduced as an additive.
Polytechnic Nekede Owerri. The materials used Inclusion of starch increased the setting time of
were cement, rice husk, fine river sand, laterite, the blocks, but improved cohesion of its
starch, and water. Different mix proportions were constituent components.
sampled in the bid to determine the most A total of five (5) of the trial mixes are recorded in
appropriate mix for making the blocks. These the study for further evaluation. Batching of
materials were used in different combinations materials was by weight. All materials were
and varying proportions for the different samples. weighed dry before further processing. Water
Cement used was ordinary Portland cement was used to mix the materials together. Hot
(OPC) available in the local market. The cement water was used to process the starch, which was
was purchased in bags and transported to the afterward cooled before use in the various mixes.
study location. Rice husk was obtained from rice The cement was first mixed with the starch
mills in Abakiliki in Ebonyi state. The material solution until a smooth consistency was
was collected in aerated sacks and transported achieved. The rice husk was then poured into the
to the workshop in Owerri where it was stored for mix, and water was added in controlled quantities
use. Fine river sand with coarse texture was until the desired workability was achieved.
purchased from local dealers in Owerri. Usually
silt content for this type of sand is between 5 to All results included in the study are for solid
20 %. Laterite was sourced locally also, and blocks. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

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Okpoechi et al.; IJECC, 11(9): 24-30, 2021; Article no.IJECC.75202

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION sample from mix C and four (4) samples
from mix E were sent for tests. The blocks
Tests for compressive strength were were made in trial cubes of
conducted in the Materials laboratory of 150x150x150(mm). The blocks were tested after
the Federal University of Technology Owerri. A 28 days. The test results are as shown in Table 2
total of five (5) blocks were tested. One (1) below.

Table 1. Experimental Mix Proportions

S/N Sample Sand Sand Rice Starch Cement Observation (after 7

(laterite)/kg (river)/kg husk /kg /kg days)
/kg
1 A - 5 10 - 10 The blocks appeared to
be well formed, but were
brittle after curing for 7
days. Laterite was
suggested as an
alternative to fine river
sand to see if it would
provide better binding
properties.
2 B 5 - 5 - 12.5 The blocks were well
formed. The blocks
produced were quite
heavy. Also the cement
content was a lot and
therefore not cost-
effective. Starch was
suggested as an
alternative binder since
the laterite appeared to
increase the weight of
the blocks.
3 C - - 1.5 0.5 2 The blocks were well
formed, and not brittle.
They appeared stable
after 7 days. The blocks
were considered good
enough for further tests.
4 D - - 7.5 2.5 5 The starch was too much
for this mix. This
increased setting time of
the block. Excessive
evaporation of moisture
caused shrinkage of
blocks after curing
5 E - - 7.5 0.5 5 The starch was reduced
in this sample. The
blocks were well formed
and appeared stable
after curing. The blocks
were considered good
enough to undergo
further testing.

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Okpoechi et al.; IJECC, 11(9): 24-30, 2021; Article no.IJECC.75202

Table 2. Compressive strength of lightweight rice husk blocks

S/No Description Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample

E E E E C
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
1 Dimensions (mm) 150x150x 150x150x 150x150x 150x150x 150x150x
150 150 150 150 150
2 Weight (gm) 1.80 2.00 2.00 1.9 2.7
3 Density (gm/cc) 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005
4 Cross sectional area (sq/mm) 22.5x10-3 22.5x10-3 22.5x10-3 22.5x10-3 22.5x10-3
5 Minimum load (KN) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 5.8
6 Compressive strength 0.0222 0.0222 0.0222 0.0222 0.2578
(N/mm2)

3.1 Discussion 4. CONCLUSION

The study was aimed at developing light weight The waste reduction benefits of rice husk blocks
blocks from rice husk, an organic waste material, are significant enough to elicit further enquiry into
for use in building construction. Rice husk was how rice husk blocks can be improved to serve
selected for the study because of its large scale as a structural material. This study explored the
availability in communities where rice is use of rice husk in its raw state, without turning it
produced in commercial quantities. As a bye- to rice husk ash. This was done to see how
product of rice production, rice husk accumulates effective it would be as a primary material not
as waste, which is currently not effectively requiring extensive processing, such as would
managed, seeing as it is dumped and oftentimes make it more readily available to the lower
burned in the open. income group. The compressive strength of the
The average compressive strength for sample E rice husk blocks produced was 0.26N/mm2. The
is 0.02N/mm2. This is substantially below the NIS result shows that the rice husk blocks produced
87:2007 standard [14], which specifies a are not suited for use as a load bearing material,
compressive strength of 2.7N/mm2 for but can be applied as partition walls and infills in
150x150x450mm sandcrete blocks. Sample C framed construction. In addition, the light weight
has a compressive strength of 0.26N/mm2. While properties of the blocks can lead to increased
this is still below NIS 87:2007 standard [14], it productivity as a result of greater ease in
compares with blocks sold in open markets in handling the blocks. The finished block surface is
some parts of Nigeria, as shown in the study by also good enough to receive rendering and paint.
Mahmoud, Hama, & Abba [15], where
compressive strengths of 150mm blocks were The emergence of rice husk blocks as a
found to fall within the range of 0.12N/mm2 to substitute for sandcrete blocks in building
1.46N/mm2. Sample C is preferred because of its construction is quite promising. This is especially
better strength properties compared to sample E. relevant in low rise housing construction, or as
non-load bearing partitions in high rise
The final product was of good appearance and construction. Rice husk block performs best as
light-weight. With a compressive strength of solid rather than hollow core blocks, and its
0.26N/mm2, it is not suitable for use as a composition gives it the benefits of improved fire
structural wall. This effectively eliminates its use properties and reduced weight which are also
as a load bearing material in building characteristics of hollow core sandcrete blocks.
construction. With a low compressive strength of
0.26N/mm2, the rice husk block samples are AREAS OF FURTHER RESEARCH
better suited for use as non-load bearing partition
walls. A modified construction methodology of Further research is needed in the area of
framing with wood and in-filling with rice husk possible reduction of cement content of the
blocks could still achieve the reduced blocks so that they are more cost effective and
construction costs. The finished block surface affordable to the low income population. In
can readily receive cement/sand rendering, addition, further research is needed in the area of
which would improve its moisture exclusion improving the compressive strength of the block,
properties. so as to make it more acceptable as a stand-

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Okpoechi et al.; IJECC, 11(9): 24-30, 2021; Article no.IJECC.75202

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