The Mechanical and Physical Properties of Concrete Paving Blocks with Distillery slope from liquor production and Rice Husk Ash as Partial Cement Replacements

Abstract

Concrete paving blocks are another widely used material for applications such as local roads, pedestrian, parking lots, as well as ports and taxiways in airports. This is due to their many advantages, including durability, weather resistance, and easy installation. However, the production of concrete paving blocks primarily uses cement as the main material, which has a high cost and environmental impact. This research aims to compare the mechanical and physical properties of concrete paving blocks using fly ash from distillery slop and rice husk ash as cement replacements. Hence, this study aims to produce concrete paving blocks by using a sample size of 14x24.5x6 cm3, incorporating rice husk ash and distillery slop to replace cement in proportions ranging from 2% to 20% by weight. The sand to ash and Portland cement ratio was 2:1. The mechanical and physical properties were evaluated with the product TIS 827-2531, which included compressive strength and moisture content. Based on the result obtained, the compressive strength decreased as the cement replacement ratio increased. Using 6% distillery slop and 2% rice husk ash as cement replacements 28-day compressive strengths of 35.14 and 38.50 MPa, respectively, meeting the standard requirements. Water absorption increased with higher cement replacement ratios, with 0-20% distillery slop and 0-16% rice husk ash replacements meeting the standard criteria. Density variations were insignificant across all mix ratios. This research provides a pathway for utilizing agricultural and industrial waste materials to develop engineering materials and reduce cement usage.