Compressive Strength of Concrete by Partial Replacement of Cement Using Granite Powder and Rice Husk Ash

Granite powder, one of the by-products in the granite stone crushing process, not being used for any applications other than filling up low lying areas is identified as a replacement material for cement in concrete. The quantities have been utilized and the rest has been unscrupulously dumped resulting in environmental problems. Presently, all the processing units are disposing this industrial waste by dumping it in open yards, that nearly occupying 25% of the total area of the industry. The reduction in waste generation by manufacturing value-added products from the granite stone waste will boost up the economy of the granite stone industry. The utilization of granite powder in high performance concrete could turn this waste material into a valuable resource with the added benefit of preserving the environment. Rice husk ash is found to be superior to other supplementary materials like slag, silica fume and fly ash. Due to its high pozzolanic activity, both strength and durability of concrete are enriched. Unlike other industrial by-products rice husk ash has to be produced out of the raw agricultural waste, husk. The increasing demand for producing durable construction materials is the outcome of the fast polluting environment. Supplementary cementitious materials prove to be effective to meet most of the requirements of durable concrete. In the present experimental investigation M40 grade concrete has been chosen as reference concrete specimen. Cement was partially replaced by granite powder with 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and Rice husk ash was partial replaced by 5%,10%,15%,20%,25% and also in the combination of Granite powder and Rice husk ash was also partially replaced by cement in concrete. Compressive strength (cubes) was compared those of concrete made with natural aggregates. specific gravity of the materials was also studied .The test result indicates that it is possible to manufacture concrete containing with granite powder and rice husk ash with characteristics similar to those of cement concrete provided that percentage of granite powder and Rice husk ash is limited to 15% and combination of Granite powder and rice husk ash is partially replaced by cement is limited to 10% and 15% respectively.