RICE HUSK ASH: AN EFFECTIVE AGRICUTURAL BY-

PRODUCT FOR SOIL STABILIZATION A REVIEW

Gagan Deep 1, Neha Bhardwaj2 , Manish Bhutani3

1
DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab
2
DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab
3
DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab

Abstract: Soil stabilization means alteration of the soils properties to meet the specified
engineering requirements. Methods for the stabilization are compaction and use of
admixtures. Lime and Cement was commonly used as stabilizer for altering the properties of
soils. Emerging trend of using waste material in soil stabilizing or soil strengthening is being
working out all over the world in present days. The main reason behind this trend is the
excessive production of waste like fly ash, plastics, rice husk ash (RHA) which is not only
hazards but also creating deposition problems.
Rice husk ash is an attractive pozzolona. About 20 million tons of Rice Husk Ash
(RHA) is produced annually in India. This RHA is a great environmental threat causing
damage to the land and the surrounding area where it is dumped. Therefore commercial use
of RHA is an alternative solution for the disposal problem. But this RHA is very rich in silica
content and also the particle size is small and comparable to the size of cement particles.
Silica produced from rice husk ashes have investigated successfully as a pozzolanic material
in soil stabilization. However, rice husk ash cannot be used solely since the materials lack in
calcium element. As a result, rice husk ash shall be mixed with other cementitious materials
such as lime and cement to have a solid chemical reaction in stabilization process. This paper
reviews the use of rice husk ash for the stabilization of different types of soil.

Keywords: Soil Stabilization, Rice Husk Ash, Pozzolanic Material.

Manish Bhutani is presently working as A.P. in Department of Civil Engineering, DAV
Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar (India)
Prince Singh is presently working as J.E. in Department of Irrigation, Punjab (India)
INTRODUCTION

Rice is the primary source of food for billion peoples across the world. In 2013 around 107
million tons of paddy produced in India. India is second largest producer of rice next to china.
One ton of rice paddy produces 220 kg rice husk. Rice husk is the shell produced during de-
husking of paddy. Rice husk being agricultural waste dumped near the mills or burnt in open
fields. Numerous problems arises from rice husk disposal such as, methane generation due to
fermentation of RHA with microorganisms, being light and fine particles causing breathing
problems, bad effect on the health are reported such as acute and chronic effect affecting
eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract and allegoric response such as nasal Catarrh, asthma
and limitation of RHA because of low nutritious value, long periods required for decompose
are not appropriate for composting of manure. Thus, proper and safe disposal of rice husk is
again a big problem. Different ways are available in for enhancing the engineering
performances of Soils are soil stabilization, soil reinforcement, etc. Admixtures like lime,
cement were used traditionally for stabilization purposes. [13]

Rice husk is a major agriculture by product obtained from the food crop of paddy. For every 4 tons of
rice around 1 ton is of rice husk is produced. Burning of rice husk generates about 15-20% of its
weight as ash. RHA being very light is easily carried by wind and water in its dry state. RHA is
difficult to coagulate and thus contributes to air and water pollution. Additionally cumulative
generation of ash requires large space for its disposal. On the basis of studies carried out on physical
and chemical properties of rice husk ash. [13]
RICE HUSK ASH CLASSIFICATIONS
The main component of the rice husk ash is silica, which is the element that governs the
reactivity of the ash. A delicate burning process is required to eliminate the organic
components in the rice husk but keep the silica to be amorphous so that a highly reactive rice
husk ash can is obtained. A too high temperature would transform amorphous silica to
crystalline silica, which would reduce the reactivity. The suggested burning process in
literature is 2 hours at 500oC. However, due to the exothermic property of the burning rice
husk it is difficult to control the exact burning temperature, hence there is still a possibility
that the carbon and the crystallized silica are present and hinder the activity of the rice husk
ash. Based on the silica state and the carbon content, the rice husk ash is classified in three
types: C-RHA which is collected from a quick and open-air burning and contains a large
amount of carbon; Cr-RHA which is collected form slow burning at above 600oC and
contains a large amount of crystallized silica; and A-RHA which is collected from the
suggested burning process which is 500oC in 2 hours and is considered to be the most active.
As expected, the higher reactivity of the A-RHA compared with the Cr-RHA
confirmed the capability of these burning conditions. Surprisingly, the C-
RHA appeared to be the most reactive and its effect to the soil was also
the most positive despite of the large carbon content and the detected
crystalline silica. The high reactivity of the C-RHA derives that there is a
hierarchy of the solubility depending on the burning duration so that
although all the three types of ash were mainly amorphous, the C-RHA is
the most soluble.

(a) A-RHA (b) C-RHA (c) Cr-RHA [14]

Gbenga M.Ayininuola (2013) Focused on impact of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on soil
permeability. Four soil samples were sourced from four locations within Ibadan, Oyo State,
Nigeria. Each soil sample was stabilized with varying percentages (3%, 5%, 7%, 10% and
15%) of furnace-prepared RHA. The stabilized soil samples coefficients of permeability were
determined using falling head method. The results showed that the RHA is composed of
79.66 % SiO2, 2.21 % Al2O3, and 0.65 % Fe2O3, amongst other compounds. Coefficient of
permeability k of all soil samples decreased with increased RHA content, due to
exchangeable action of cations such as Al3+ and Ca2+ present in the ash with other
monovalent ions forming strong bond that hindered passage of water.

S.M.PRASANNA KUMAR (2012) The Geotechnical engineering properties like Liquid

limit, Plastic limit, volume stabilization, Compressive strength, Compaction character, CBR
values of soil have been studied in this work. On addition of Rice Husk ash the diffused
double layer thickness of mixture increases and hence water holding capacity of soil mixtures
increases. Specific gravity decreases on addition of ash. On addition of Rice Husk ash the
gradation of mixture is adversely affected which leads in reduction of dry density. Rice Husk
ash can is used as a good stabilizer along with lime. Addition of rice husk ash along with 3%
lime shows steep increment in unconfined compressive strength for 20% ash for curing
period of 14 days. Further curing of samples has not shown much marginal improvement in
strength. Samples cured up to 14 days have shown continuous increment and strength
increased from 310 KPa to 567 KPa for 20% addition of ash and 3% of lime. It is interesting
to note that samples cured upto 28 days for addition of 10% RHA and 3% lime have reached
strength equal to 30% ash with 3% lime cured up to 14 days combination. Hence it reveals
that less ash is sufficient to gain strength for more period of curing compared to more ash for
less curing time.

Agus Setyo Muntoha (2002) Expansive soil has been a problem in Indonesia as in other
countries. In this research, a series of laboratory tests has been conducted. The tests were
carried out individually or in a combination in which the Rice Husk Ash (RHA) content were
varied from 7.5, 10, and 12.5 percent, and the lime content from 2, 4, 6, and 10 percent (by
the dry weight of soil). All the Samples have been remolded at their optimum moisture
content (OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD). The research shows that lime rice husk
ash decreased the swell of expansive soil and improved its strength and bearing capacity. [3]

Dilip Shrivastava , A.K.Singha , R.K.Yadav (2014) The effects of Rice Husk Ash on
index properties of black cotton soil stabilized with 5%lime. Black cotton soil blended with
5% lime are treated by mixing Rice Husk Ash in 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% ratio by weight of
dry soil as per relevant IS code of practice and tests for index properties are carried out. The
results showed a marked change in index properties of soil sample. The liquid limit and
plasticity index decrease from 48.5% to 41.8% and 25.8% to 12.3% respectively with
increase in rice husk ash from 5% to20%to 5% lime blended black cotton soil whereas plastic
limit and shrinkage limit increase from 22.7% to 29.5% and 8.61% to 13.76% respectively.
Also the Differential Free Swell decreases from54.3% to 7.1%, showing appreciable decrease
in swelling behavior. The improvement in Index properties of soil reveals that Rice Husk Ash
is an important material to stabilize the Black Cotton soil and make suitable for construction
purpose. [4]

Dr.A.V.Narasihma rao , B.Penchalaiah , Dr.M.Chittranjan , Dr.P.Ramesh (2014) Black

cotton soil covers about one-fifth of the area of our country Therefore, it is necessary to
properly choose the stabilizer through careful investigation to improve the strength,
compressibility and permeability characteristics. At the same time, the economics of the
process of the stabilization should also be considered. In this paper the results obtained by
studying the compressibility behavior of black cotton soil admixed with lime and rice-husk
ash is presented. For the purpose of comparison similar studies have been carried out with
admixtures such as lime and rice-husk separately. [5]

Joshua O. OWOSENI and Emmanuel O. ATIGRO (2014) This paper presents the use of
an agricultural waste in efficient and cost effective soil stabilization based on investigative
laboratory tests conducted on residual soils from parts of southwestern Nigeria. Laboratory
results show appreciable lowering of plasticity indices of the soils. Indicating reduced
swelling potential which translates to increased soil strength. Moreover, California bearing
ratio and shear strength characteristics also improved, with strong positive correlations. The
optimum moisture contents drastically reduced, and maximum dry densities escalated. Its
quite obvious that RHA improved the engineering geological properties of the soils
remarkably. Consequently, RHA can be adjudged a good, effective and cost effective additive
in tropical soil stabilization. About 6 8% level of stabilization is hereby recommended. [6]
Sabyasachi Biswas Arghadeep Biswas Amar Dighade (2012) The experimental
result is a must so that it should not create a new problem. RHA has been used with a small
amount of lime of different quantity to stabilize a highly plastic soil. The percentage by
weight of virgin soil has been partially replaced by RHA and lime to improve its strength
property as CBR value. Series of laboratory tests like soaked and un-soaked CBR;
compaction has been performed to evaluate the effects of the foreign materials on virgin soil.
Result showed that only use of RHA decreases the strength whereas in addition of RHA with
soil, a very little amount of lime improves the soil property to a great extent. Subsequently,
result shows that for the mix, the optimum moisture content (OMC) increases and the
maximum dry density (MDD) decreases. [7]

APOORV SINGH KHALID RAZA (2014) Rice Husk Ash and Blast furnace Slag are two
abundantly available industrial waste products in India. Rice Husk Ash is generated by the
steam boilers used in industries while blast furnace slag is produced as a waste during the
production of iron in blast furnace. In the past these materials are disposed of on nearby
landfills causing much soil pollution and also had a hazardous effect on the environment.
Also due to various regulations for disposal of wastes and lack of space it was a big problem
for the industries to get rid of these materials. But both these materials have pozzolanic
properties and can be used as a replacement of cement in construction practices to obtain high
performance concrete. These materials when used as a replacement of cement can
substantially decrease the CO2 emission due to cement manufacturing the physical and
chemical properties of Rice Husk Ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag that makes
them suitable to be used as a replacement of cement and also in the production of Portland
Pozzolana Cement. Some other uses are also reviewed. [8]

Dr. D. Koteswara Rao, G.V.V. Rameswara Rao, and P.R.T. Pranav (2012) the soil
found in the ocean bed are classified as marine soil. It can even be located onshore as well.
The properties of marine soil depend significantly on its initial conditions. The properties of
saturated marine soil differ significantly from moist soil and dry soil. Marine clay is
microcrystalline in nature and clay minerals like chlorite, kaolinite and illinite and non-clay
minerals like quartz and feldspar are present in the soil. The soils have higher proportion of
organic matters that acts as a cementing agent. Clay is an impermeable soil, meaning it holds
water, as opposed to permeable soil that allows water to rapidly drain, like a gravel or sand. It
is also an expansive soil, such as the marine clay which predominates in almost all countries
of the world, which when shrinking or expanding, can damage foundations and structures.
The shrink and swell movements are due to changes in soil moisture. Providing uniform soil
moisture next to and under your foundation is the only best thing to reduce or minimize the
damaging effects of expansive soil. Accumulation of various waste materials is now
becoming a major concern to the environmentalists. Rice Husk ash is one such by-product
from Timber industries and Wood cutting factories. Rice Husk ash by itself has little
cementitious value but in the presence of moisture it reacts chemically and forms
cementitious compounds and attributes to the improvement of strength and compressibility
characteristics of soils. So in order to achieve both the need of improving the properties of
marine clays and also to make use of the industrial wastes, the present experimental study has
been taken up. In this paper the effect of Rice Husk ash and Lime on strength properties of
marine clay has been studied. [9]

Ario Muhammad and Agus Setyo Muntohar , S.T , M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D.(2007) The main
objective of this study focused on bearing capacity of the stabilized clayey subgrade with
lime-rice husk ash and fibers. The main laboratory test shall be compaction and CBR tests.
The investigation results revealed that the inclusion of lime-rice husk ash-fiber into the soil
decreased MDD and OMC. On the other hand, stabilization and reinforcement with lime-rice
husk ash and fibers waste improved significantly the CBR values. [10]

Khushbu S. Gandhi(2013) Expansive clay soils are extensively distributed worldwide,

and are a source of great damage to infrastructure and buildings. There are numerous soil
stabilization techniques for improving the strength of the in-situ soil, and one of the
techniques is using chemical additive. Chemical improvement is a time saving method that
enables sub grade or sub-base layer and otherwise unsatisfactory materials in-situ to obtain
higher density and strength, obviating the need for costly excavation and replacement with
borrow material. Surat is located on highly expansive soil. This work is based on an
experimental study in the stabilization of an expansive soil in Surat, consisting of the changes
of its various properties and its mechanical capacities by the addition of by-products and
waste materials of industrial origin such as rice husk ash and marble dust. This may achieve
the double objective of reducing the problems of this type of soil, and also of providing a use
for the additives, thus eliminating the economic and environmental cost involved in
managing them. And also regression analysis for quick prediction of swelling pressure and
CBR value of soil with regarding to the other properties of soil is also carried out. [11]

Baskaran K Mallikarachchi H. E(2012) The performance of soil bricks stabilized using

rice husk ash (RHA) and lime. It will also determine the optimal percentage of lime that can
be mixed with rice husk ash in order to gain maximum strength and durability. Totally twenty
six number of brick samples were cast to find the compressive strength, density and water
absorption. One brick sample was cast without binder (0% RHA, 0% Lime). Other twenty
five brick samples were cast by varying binder/ soil mix percentage as well as rice husk ash/
lime mix percentage up to a maximum binder percentage of 25% by weight of dry soil. Five
brick samples were tested for water absorption and all the twenty six brick samples were
tested for compressive strength and density. Results depicted a considerable increment in
compressive strength in bricks stabilized with RHA and lime compared to unstabilized
sample. Density and water absorption is lower compared to currently available local bricks.
Maximum compressive strength was 4 N/mm2 at 12.5% lime and 12.5% RHA combination.
Economical dosage to stabilize the soil bricks was found to be 10 % lime and 2.5% of RHA
combination by which compressive strength of 3.9 N/mm2 can be achieved. Optimum lime
content to stabilize soil blocks was observed to be 10% for most of the RHA combinations.
[12]

Mandeep Singh , Anupam Mittal (2014) Soil stabilization means alteration of the soils
properties to meet the specified engineering requirements. Methods for the stabilization are
compaction and use of admixtures. Lime and Cement was commonly used as stabilizer for
altering the properties of soils. Earth reinforcement techniques with commonly used with
mild steel rods, geo synthetics etc. From the recent studies it is observed that, solid waste
materials such as rice husk ash and waste tyres are used for this intended purpose with or
without lime or cement. Disposal of these waste materials is essential as these are causing
hazardous effects on the environment. With the same intention literature review is undertaken
on utilization of solid waste materials for the stabilization of soils and their performance is
discussed. [13]

CONCLUSIONS

References:
[1] Transnational Journal of Science and Technology, TJST December 2013 edition vol.3,
No.10 ISSN 1857-8047

[2] 2012 International Conference on Environment Science and Engineering IPCBEE vol.3
2(2012) (2012) IACSIT Press, Singapore

[3] Dimensi Teknik Sipil, Vol. 4, No. 2, 100 - 105, September 2002 ISSN 1410-9530

[4] Dilip Shrivastava, A.K.Singha, R.K.Yadav Effect of Lime and Rice Husk Ash on Index
Properties of Black Cotton Soil International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research
Technology

[5] Dr.A.V.Narasihma rao1, B.Penchalaiah2, Dr.M.Chittranjan3, Dr.P.Ramesh4

Compressibility Behavior of Black Cotton Soil Admixed with Lime and Rice-Husk Ash
International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (An
ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

[6] Joshua O. OWOSENI1 @ and Emmanuel O. ATIGRO2 Use of Agricultural wastes in

stabilizing residual tropical soils for road
Construction European International Journal of Applied Science and Technology Vol. 1 No.
5; July 2014

[7] Sabyasachi Biswas Arghadeep Biswas Amar Dighade Utilization of Rice Husk with Lime
in Subgrade Soil for a Rural Road International Conference on Emerging Frontiers in
Technology for Rural Area (EFITRA) 2012 Proceedings published in International Journal of
Computer Applications (IJCA)

[8] APOORV SINGH KHALID RAZA Physical and Chemical Properties of Rice Husk Ash
and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag- A Review GJESR REVIEW PAPER VOL. 1
[ISSUE 6] JULY, 2014

[9] Dr. D. Koteswara Rao, G.V.V. Rameswara Rao, P.R.T. Pranav A Laboratory Study on the
affect of Rice Husk Ash & Lime on the Properties of Marine Clay International Journal of
Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 1, July 2012
[10] Ario Muhammad* and Agus Setyo Muntohar, S.T., M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. ** USES OF
LIME -RICE HUSK ASH AND PLASTIC FIBERSAS MIXTURES-MATERIAL IN HIGH-
PLASTICITY CLAYEY SUBGRADE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

[11] Khushbu S. Gandhi Stabilization of Expansive Soil of Surat Region using Rice Husk
Ash & Marble Dust International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology
ISSN 2277 - 4106

[12] Baskaran K Mallikarachchi H. E PADDY HUSK ASH STABILIZED SOIL BRICKS

[13] Mandeep Singh*, Anupam Mittal A Review On The Soil Stabilization With Waste
Materials International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN:
2248-9622 National Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology (AET- 29th
March 2014)
Maharishi

[14] Vinh Pham Utilization of Rice husk ash in GeoTechnology Applicability and effect of
the burning conditions