Abstract

AGUILA, Idalberto  and  SOSA, Milena. Physical chemical evaluation of rice husks, corn leaves and cane bagasse ashes and their potential use in mortar mixtures, as pozzolanic materials. Rev. Fac. Ing. UCV [online]. 2008, vol.23, n.4, pp.55-66. ISSN 0798-4065.

This paper presents a preliminary characterization of some residues of Venezuelan agricultural products and assesses their potential use as potential sources of pozzolanic materials. We include rice husks, corn leaves and cane bagasse ashes, all of them having large quantities of amorphous silica in their chemical compositions. Through laboratory tests, we conducted an initial physical and chemical characterization of each material, in order to determine whether they possess the required composition to be considered as potential pozzolanic materials. This characterization is complemented by resistance to compression and durability tests of mortar samples, made with different combinations of each material with Portland cement. These results demonstrate the technical feasibility of the use of rice husks and corn leaves as pozzolanic materials, but not so the cane bagasse which at present does not meet the requirements.

Keywords : Pozzolans; Agricultural wastes; Cement; Sustainability; Building materials.