OPTIMISATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE INCORPORATING RICE HUSK ASH AND SHEEP WOOL FIBRES USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has encouraged the incorporation of agricultural and natural fibre into cementitious composites. This study investigates the combined influence of Rice Husk Ash (RHA), a pozzolanic agro-waste, and Sheep Wool Fibre (SWF), a renewable natural fibre, on the mechanical properties of concrete. The experimental program employed Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD) to optimize the mix proportions of RHA (5–25% replacement of cement) and SWF (0.5–2.5%) by weight. Key performance indicators including workability, compressive strength, split tensile and flexural strength, were evaluated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of amorphous silica in RHA, indicating high pozzolanic potential, while SWF exhibited crystalline patterns characteristic of structural reinforcement rather than chemical reactivity. Results showed that partial replacement of cement with RHA significantly improved the mechanical properties, while SWF enhanced toughness and crack resistance. However, excessive levels of either component reduced workability and strength. The RSM predictive models demonstrated strong correlation with experimental results, allowing the identification of optimal mix proportions that produce an achievable strength. Overall, the integration of RHA and SWF provides an eco-friendly pathway for producing sustainable concrete composites with improved performance.
KEYWORDS Rice Husk Ash, Sheep wool Fibre, Response Surface Methodology, Fresh properties, Mechanical Property.
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