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Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
The Problem
materials is Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) and due to its expensive cost, most of the
consumers can’t afford, particularly those who have inadequate budget for construction.
One of the world’s major rice producers is the Philippines and the major by-
products of rice milling are hull or the outer shell of the rice grain. Hull constitutes about
20 to 22 percent by weight of the grain. The hull is made of hard material to protect the
seed during the growing season, and is indigestible to humans. However, rice hull should
not be looked upon as a useless material. In the Philippines, rice hull is used as fuel for
petroleum gas or LPG. It also serves as bedding or litter and as pillow stuffing in some
But still, big portions of rice hull are not utilized because of its large volume. It is
even considered as waste dumped into open fields and waterways or burned in open
grounds.
Now, rice hull can be used as aggregate for Rice Hull Block (RHB), a substitute
for Concrete Hollow Block (CHB). Rice hull block is a combination of rice hull, cement
and sand. A wall composed of Rice Hull Block (RHB) units may not have the
compressive strength of ordinary CHB but RHB wall can provide the same function of
Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) wall of a common residential building or farm structure.
Results of this study may contribute to our economy particularly to the low-
income consumers in the sense that instead of using CHB, they may now use RHB which
have a similar compressive strength with that of CHB but at a significant lower cost.
1. Researchers and students, as their basis for future research on using different
RHB.
1. Determine the proper ratio of the cement, sand and ground rice hull that will
2. Show the difference between common CHB and RHB in terms of weight and
unit cost.
This study was limited to the production and compressive strength testing of Rice
Hull Block (RHB) using different ratios of cement, sand, ground rice hull and water.
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This study was conducted from November, 2010 to February, 2011 at the College
testing for RHB was conducted at the Construction Materials and Testing (CMT)
Definition of Terms
Aggregate. Inert material which is mixed with Portland cement and water to
produced concrete.
pushing forces.
crystallization.
about 70kg.
Lignin. A complex organic compound that binds to cellulose fibers and hardens
Silica. A white or colorless vitreous insoluble solids. Various forms occur widely
Chapter II
dirt, dead grain and other extraneous matter; the miller may therefore expect to obtain
about 75% of rice and it’s by products. The following percentages are obtained by
milling and polishing: whole rice 50, points and broken rice 17, bran 10, meal 3, husk 30
(Grist, 1975).
Nicolas, 1995 states that 2-3million tons of rice hull materials are generated in the
Philippines annually. Of this total tonnage, a very conservative estimate is that only 5%
are utilized as fuel, and feeds, while the remaining balance (95%) is either dumped or
good source of energy. A ton of rice hull is equivalent to 318 liters of fuel. With a
heating value of 13,900 kilojoules per kilogram, rice hull can sum up to this volume
Rice hulls are class A insulating materials because they are difficult to burn and
less likely to allow moisture to propagate mold or fungi. It was found out that rice hull
when burned produced amounts of silica. For these reasons it provides excellent thermal
insulation. Rice hulls are organic material and can be composted. However, their high
lignin content can make this a slow process. Sometimes earthworms are used to
accelerate the process. Using vermicomposting techniques, the hulls can be converted to
Some Filipino researchers have discovered rice hull ash (RHA) as a suitable
cement binder in the manufacture of hallows blocks. Adding 10%-20% ground gray or
white ash to ordinary Portland cement does not affect the strength of the construction
materials compared to 100% cement. This is because rice hull contains more than 87%
silica. Adding 30% RHA by weight or 50% RHA by volume to ordinary cement in the
manufacture of roof tiles makes the materials light, porous, and hard but brittle
(Tacio,2010).
(CRH). CRH is crucial Ingredients of bokashi organic fertilizer and can be used in
composting toilets and animal bedding. CRH results from the incomplete combustion of
rice hulls under high heat and oxygen conditions (pyrolasis). To produce CRH, raw rice
hull is burned without air so that it will not turn into ash. CRH is sterile and is free from
Chapter III
c. Portland cement
d. Potable water
f. Calibrated containers
g. Mixing board
h. Hand trowel
j. Micrometer caliper
The standard weight of Portland Cement ( 40kg per bag) was divided into 80
equal parts which is 500gm and the standard volume of construction box (30x30x30cm =
27000cm3) was also divided into 80 equal parts which is 337.5cm3. All samples were
mixed with 500 gm (1 part) of cement and an initial 250 cm3 volume of water. However,
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if the mixture was too sticky for proper blending, water was added in increments of 500
cm3. A calibrated container with a volume of 337.5 cm3 was used as a measuring
For ease and simplicity of labor, cement was constant at 1 part and water at an
initial volume of 250 cm3. There were forty eight (48) ratios (cement: sand : ground rice
hull) considered in the study, where sand ranges from 2 to 13 parts and ground rice hull
a. 1 : 2 : 1 to 1 : 2 : 4 g. 1 : 8 : 1 to 1 : 8 : 4
b. 1 : 3 : 1 to 1 : 3 : 4 h. 1: 9 : 1 to 1 : 9 : 4
c. 1 : 4 : 1 to 1 : 4 : 4 i. 1 : 10 : 1 to 1 : 10 :4
d. 1 : 5 : 1 to 1 : 5 : 4 j. 1: 11 : 1 to 1 : 11 : 4
e. 1 : 6 : 1 to 1 : 6 : 4 k. 1 : 12 : 1 to 1 : 12 : 4
f. 1 : 7 : 1 to 1 : 7 : 4 l. 1 : 13 : 1 to 1 : 13 : 4
Procedure
1.a. Mixing and Molding Process. Sand, ground rice hull, cement and water
was thoroughly mixed together on a clean mixing board using a hand trowel.
The mixture is then placed in the PVC molder with inside diameter of 70 mm
and a height of 110 mm in three layers and each layer was lightly tamped 8
times with a round tipped 6 mm plain steel rod to eliminate air voids. The
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molder was then lightly tapped on four sides to ensure that the mixture is
settled and would easily separate from the molder. The mold then was
loosened and moved vertically upward in a swift motion. The sample was kept
transferred to a flat stable surface that is covered from rain. To obtain the
spraying with water for three days which is the same process and duration in
1.c. Sun Drying Process. Adapting the same number of days of exposing commercial
CHB under the sun, the samples were likewise totally exposed under the sun for four
days.
To facilitate the comparison of the compressive strength of the samples with the
commercial Concrete Hollow Block (CHB). CHB mix were taken from a known local
Compression Testing
All dried Rice Hull Block (RHB) samples were tested for compression using
human weight or foot pressure. All samples that cracked were eliminated and the
remaining samples together with the dried Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) cylindrical
samples from a known local manufacturer were brought to the Construction Materials
Testing (CMT) laboratory of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) to determine their
compressive strength
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In producing RHB, 1 bag (1 part) cement was used. And a standard 12”x12”x12”
(30x30x30 cm = 27000 cm3) mixing box was used as 1 part for the sand and ground rice
hull.
Adopting the ratio of the cylindrical sample with a compressive strength equal to
or slightly more than that of the cylindrical samples of Concrete Hollow Block (CHB),
rice hull blocks are then machine made using the same procedures and equipment for
producing Concrete Hollow Block (CHB). Then the dried Rice Hull Block (RHB)
products were brought to the Construction Materials Testing (CMT) laboratory for
compression testing.
For comparison, five samples of 5” Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) were bought
from a known local supplier and its average compressive strength and weight were also
Chapter IV
Cylindrical Samples
Table 1 shows the performance of the cylindrical samples under human weight or
foot pressure. Results showed that the mixture numbers 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 17, 21, 22, 25,
26, 29, 33, 34, 37, 41, 45 and 46 passed the foot pressure test. The remaining cylindrical
samples were then brought to the Construction Materials Testing (CMT) laboratory for
compression testing.
Table 2 shows the compressive strength of three cylindrical samples taken from
the CHB plant. This showed that the mean compressive strength is 0.76 Mega Pascals.
This was used as the basis for selecting the ratio for making RHB.
Table 3 shows the ratios with its number of cylinders produced, diameter, mean
load, and mean compressive strength of the different cylindrical samples. Mixture
numbers 9, 21, 25, 34 and 46 have compressive strength equal to or greater than
0.76MPa. These ratios were used in the production of Rice Hull Blocks (RHB).
Table 3. Mean Compressive Strength of Rice Hull Block (RHB) Cylindrical Samples
Mixture No. Ratio Mean Mean Load Mean Comp. Remarks
Diameter Strength(Mpa)
1 1:2:1 71.65 3 0.74
4 1:2:4 71.6 1 0.25
5 1:3:1 71.37 2 0.50
8 1:3:4 70.73 1 0.25
9 1:4:1 70.73 3 0.77 > .76 Mpa
12 1:4:4 71.60 1 0.25
17 1:6:1 71.93 3 0.74
21 1:7:1 70.98 3 0.76 = .76 Mpa
22 1:7:2 72.00 3 0.74
25 1:8:1 70.53 3 0.77 > .76 Mpa
26 1:8:2 71.75 3 0.74
29 1:9:1 71.00 3 0.76
33 1:10:1 71.50 3 0.75
34 1:10:2 71.08 3 0.76 = .76 Mpa
37 1:11:1 71.53 2 0.50
41 1:12:1 70.63 2 0.51
45 1:13:1 71.50 3 0.75
46 1:13:2 70.73 3 0.76 = .76 Mpa
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Table 4 shows the size, compressive strength, and weight of Rice Hull Block
(RHB). It shows that mixture 9 has the highest mean compressive strength but has the
lowest RHB produced. The mixture that will produce a compressive strength equivalent
with the common Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) is 1:13:2 or a mixture consisting of 1
bag Portland cement, 13 boxes of sand, and 2 boxes of ground rice hull. This table also
showed that RHB has a ratio of 1:13:2 having a mean weight of 11.28 kg per block.
Table 4: Compressive Strength and Weight of 5-in Rice Hull Blocks (RHB)
Mix. Ratio Mean Mean Mean Mean Mean Comp. No. of Mean
No. Length Width Load Area Strength(Mpa) Blocks Wt.(Kg)
(mm) (mm) (KN) (mm2)
9 1:4:1 399.33 122.23 175.00 85904.00 6.11 15 11.47
21 1:7:1 400.00 119.75 76.67 28370.00 2.17 28 11.00
25 1:8:1 400.00 119.95 60.00 28394.00 2.11 38 11.87
34 1:10:2 400.00 119.95 60.00 28394.00 2.11 49 11.17
36 1:13:2 404.33 119.33 58.33 28536.67 2.04 54 11.28
Table 5 shows the mean compressive strength and mean weight are 1.95 Mega
Pascals and 11.67 kg. Manufacturers use a ratio of 1:13 in producing an average of 50
pieces of Concrete Hollow Block (CHB). And this mean compressive strength of CHB
was the basis for making of Rice Hull Block (RHB) that shown in table 4.
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Cost Analysis
Result of the Cost Analysis (Appendix F) shows that Rice Hull Block (RHB) is
Table 6. Comparison of Direct Unit Cost of Rice Hull Block (RHB) and Concrete
Hollow Block (CHB)
Material Cost Material Unit Cost Labor Cost Direct Unit Cost
(per mix) (per piece) (per piece) (per piece)
CHB P 268.00 P 5.36 0.80 cent. P 6.16
RHB P 284.00 P 5.26 0.80 cent. P 6.06
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Chapter V
The purpose of this study were: a) to determine the proper ratio of the cement,
sand and ground rice hull that will produce a compressive strength equivalent with the
common Concrete Hollow Block (CHB); b) to show the difference between common
Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) and Rice Hull Block (RHB) in terms of weight and unit
cost.
Using different ratios, cylindrical samples of RHB were prepared, cured, dried
then tested for compression at the Construction Materials Laboratory (CMT) laboratory.
For comparison, cylindrical samples using Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) mix from a
known local supplier were also prepared, cured, dried then tested for compression at the
CMT laboratory.
Adopting the ratio of the cylindrical sample with a compressive strength equal to
or slightly more than that of the cylindrical samples of Concrete Hollow Block (CHB),
rice hull blocks were machine made using the same procedures and equipment for
Hollow Block (CHB) were also bought. All blocks were brought to the CMT laboratory
The ratio of cement, sand and ground rice hull that produced an equivalent
compressive strength with Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) is 1:13:2. However, Rice Hull
Block (RHB) is slightly stronger than Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) by 0.09 Mega
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Pascals or 4.62%. Rice hull block is lighter than concrete Hollow Block (CHB) by 0.39kg
or 3.34% and the direct unit cost of Rice Hull Block (RHB) is cheaper than Concrete
B. Recommendations
1. Rice Hull Block (RHB) with a ratio of 1:13:2 is recommended as Concrete Hollow
2. Study on the use of ground rice hull as an aggregate for reinforced concrete,
3. Study on the use of ground rice hull as additional raw material for plastering of
4. Study on the use of ground rice hull as an additional raw material for clay products.
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Literature Cited
.
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APPENDICES
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APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
…….Continuation
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX E
30 mm 30 mm 30 mm 30 mm
25 mm
25 mm
C.S. = P/A
P = Load
APPENDIX F
Sand= P170/cu.m.
Labor cost was added direct unit cost is P6.16 per piece.
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Using 1 bag of cement, 13 boxes of sand and, 2 boxes of ground rice hull (1:13:2)
at a production rate of 54 pieces per mix, computation of unit cost is shown below:
Labor cost was added and the direct unit cost is P6.06 per piece.
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PICTORIAL PRESENTATION
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Front view
Top view
Mixing the cement, sand, ground rice hull, and water in a mixer
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Measuring the thickness and height of RHB before the compression testing
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