Publicacións

@article{nduka_mechanical_2022,

title = {Mechanical and microstructural properties of high-performance concrete made with rice husk ash internally cured with superabsorbent polymers},

author = {David O. Nduka and Babatunde J. Olawuyi and Emmanuel O. Fagbenle and Belén González-Fonteboa},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402201790X},

doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10502},

issn = {2405-8440},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

urldate = {2026-08-10},

journal = {Heliyon},

volume = {8},

number = {9},

pages = {e10502},

abstract = {An experimental study was carried out to determine the properties of rice husk ash (RHA) and its effect on high-performance concrete's (HPC) mechanical and microstructural properties. RHA content was placed at 0–30% at 5% step intervals and a constant water-binder ratio (W/B) of 0.3. A slump flow test was carried out to measure the workability property of the fresh HPC. In contrast, the influence of RHA contents on compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strengths and microstructural properties were examined for the hardened HPC specimens. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy-Attenuate total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) specific surface area and laser diffraction particle size distribution (PSD) were used to access the feasibility of RHA in HPC. XRD and SEM/EDX techniques were conducted to investigate the hydration products and microstructure in hardened HPCs. The post-test examination showed increased compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths of HPC samples for a 10% RHA content mix, recording the highest compressive strength in all curing ages. As the curing ages increase, the microstructure of the samples with RHA becomes denser than the control due to the refinement of the microstructure by the RHA incorporated. The XRD and SEM/EDX confirmed the lower calcium hydroxides from pozzolanic reactivity and later formation of C–S–H. The results suggest that RHA can be used as a cement replacement for up to 10% in HPC to produce sustainable concrete.},

keywords = {high-performance concrete, Internal curing, Microstructure and mechanical properties, Rice husk ash, superabsorbent polymers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nduka_assessment_2022,

title = {Assessment of the Durability Dynamics of High-Performance Concrete Blended with a Fibrous Rice Husk Ash},

author = {David O. Nduka and Babatunde J. Olawuyi and Olabosipo I. Fagbenle and Belén González-Fonteboa},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/12/1/75},

doi = {10.3390/cryst12010075},

issn = {2073-4352},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

urldate = {2026-08-10},

journal = {Crystals},

volume = {12},

number = {1},

pages = {75},

publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},

abstract = {The present study examines the durability properties of Class 1 (50–75 MPa) high-performance concrete (HPC) blended with rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial replacement of CEM II B-L, 42.5 N. Six HPC mixes were prepared with RHA and used as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of CEM II alone and properties are compared with control mix having only CEM II. The binders (CEM II and RHA) were investigated for particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (SSA), oxide compositions, mineralogical phases, morphology, and functional groups using advanced techniques of laser PSD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR), respectively, to understand their import on HPC. Durability properties, including water absorption, sorptivity, and chemical attack of the HPC samples, were investigated to realise the effect of RHA on the HPC matrix. The findings revealed that the durability properties of RHA-based HPCs exhibited an acceptable range of values consistent with relevant standards. The findings established that self-produced RHA would be beneficial as a cement replacement in HPC. As the RHA is a cost-effective agro-waste, a scalable product of RHA would be a resource for sustainable technology.},

keywords = {durability properties, high-performance concrete, Rice husk ash, superabsorbent polymers, Sustainability},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}