TITLE:
Investigation of the Fermentation Mode of Rice Husk for the Stabilization of Earth Plaster
AUTHORS:
Nafissatou Savadogo, Yasmine Binta Traore, Nathael Lankoande, Philbert Nshimiyimana, Adamah Messan
KEYWORDS:
Earth Plaster, Rice Husk, Clay, Fermentation, Adobe
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: Despite its low resistance to humidity, adobe remains the most widely used material for housing construction, particularly in developing countries. The present study aims to assess different modes of use of fermented RH and to evaluate their influence on the behavior of raw earth for application in plaster. The influences of two types of RH are evaluated: granular rice husk (RHg) and powdered RH (RHp). The clay mainly consists of clay (40%), silt (22%), and sand (38.4%), with a small proportion of gravel (0.24%). Its liquidity limit is 40% and the plasticity index is 26.5%. The mixtures were designed using earth and each of the two rice husks at the volumetric content of 10%, 15% and 20% of the total volume mixed with water 36.5%, 38.5% and 40.3% and fermented for three weeks. Each fermented mixture was added to the soil to form the paste, and 40 × 40 × 160 mm3 test speciments were made for characterization. The results generally show an improvement in the physico-mechanical properties and water resistance of the mortars containing fermented RH, with an optimal content between 10% and 15%. The powdered RH improved the performance of the mortar better than granular RH.