Enhancing sustainability of concrete with wheat husk ash & silica fume - An experimental & analytical approach

This research explores the use of wheat husk ash and silica fume as partial substitutes for cement in concrete production. The study focuses on enhancing the durability and mechanical properties of concrete, which include compressive strength, tensile strength, and elasticity. The research explores various mix ratios of wheat husk ash and silica fume as partial replacements for cement. The experimental phase involved preparing concrete samples with different proportions of wheat husk ash and silica fume, replacing a portion of the cement content. The results demonstrate the viability of wheat husk ash (WHA) and silica fume (SF) as partial cement substitutes. The study reveals that certain mix ratios of these materials not only maintain the essential properties of conventional concrete but can even enhance them. The study observed that the inclusion of Silica Fume and Wheat Husk ash in concrete not only enhances its mechanical properties but also improves its durability characteristics. The SF10WHA15 mix, in particular, demonstrates the best overall performance, suggesting an optimal balance between the two additives. These results indicate that incorporating WHA and SF in concrete is a viable approach to enhance both the structural and durability properties of concrete, making it a promising solution for sustainable construction practices.