Analysis of durability of high-performance concrete with addition of rice husk ash and rubber tire

Abstract

Since the Seventies, there has been a growing degradation of concrete structures
in Brazil. For that reason, much research has been made on the durability of those
structures, aiming at contributing towards quality improvement and reduction of
maintenance and repair costs. This study evaluates the behavior of the durability
of high-performance concrete with additions, replacing part of the cement and
aggregates with rice husk ash and tire rubber, respectively. Durability tests were
carried out in which concrete was subjected to several degradation processes,
such as the action of water, temperature, salts and acid solution. The results
indicated that the addition of active silica or rice husk ash, both with tire rubber
did not worsen the durability of concrete. In fact, rubber proved to be very
effective in preventing the action of chemical agents, high temperatures and the
penetration of water. Rice husk ash, despite the larger diameter of particles, had
similar results to that of the active silica.