Abstract

This quantitative research paper focuses on the use of Rice Hull Ash (RHA) as a partial replacement for cement in the production of permeable concrete pavers. The Philippines is one of the most flood-prone countries due to frequent rainfall and inadequate flood-control infrastructure. At the same time, it is a major rice producer, generating large quantities of RHA as a by-product. This study uses a capstone research design to test different mixtures of RHA and cement in the permeable concrete pavers. The mixtures consisted of 0%, 5%, and 10% RHA as partial replacements for cement, designated as Composition A, Composition B, and Composition C, respectively. The compositions were then evaluated for their compressive strength, permeability, water absorption, cost, and carbon footprint. Results showed that all compositions had adequate compressive strength for pedestrian walkways and residential driveways while allowing for permeability. Composition C, with 10% RHA replacement, performed the best in terms of compressive strength while having the lowest material cost and carbon footprint. Since permeability was determined by the shape of the pavers rather than the RHA percentage, performance remained relatively consistent, with little variation across compositions. The findings of this study show that replacing 10% of cement with RHA increases the load-bearing capacity of permeable concrete pavers while making them more economical and environmentally friendly.

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