ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Clay roof tiles have been around for centuries proving their long lasting and
durability attributes. But there are many other benefits that have stamped clay roof
tiles as the best roofing material for housing construction. Clay roof tiles are a natural
thermal insulator, keeping the heat outside. The best way to illustrate this is to think
of clay tiles as energy savers.

Since the Philippines is being known to be an agricultural country and is the

world’s 8th-largest rice producer (Padin, 2016), we can use the benefit of rice for our
projects. Inorganic materials, especially silicates are found in higher proportion in rice
husk which is produced from rice-milled as waste. Rice Husk is known to have an
unusually high amount of silica holding 92% to 95% which has a high absorbant and
light in weight. Rice husk ash has a great quality of insulating properties which also
includes its low thermal conductivity, high melting point, low bulk density and high
porosity (Bronzeoak, 2003). Insulating material with high melting point but low
thermal conductivity is desirable. The assimilation of waste agricultural products such
as rice husk as a building material will not only give us alternatives but also give as a
solution for waste management while reducing environmental pollution.

On the other hand, it is already evident that the global warming has a huge
impact in our environment. Due to the effect of climate change dangerously hot
weather is already occurring more frequently than it did few decades ago and
scientists expect heat waves to become more frequent and severe as global warming
intensifies. The increase in heat waves creates serious health risk, and can lead to
heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and aggravate existing medical conditions. Scientists
say human activities such as abusive use of energy are largely responsible for the
continued increase in average global temperatures, which causes climate change
(Ranada, 2016).

In addition, excessive use of energy also contributes to the rising temperature

of the environment. Buildings are large consumers of energy in all countries. In
regions with harsh climatic conditions, a substantial share of energy goes heat and
cool buildings. Cooling is the largest energy consumption in an average house under
tropical climate. We can reduce the need for artificial cooling by harnessing natural
energy and incorporating thermal mass into sustainable design. This heating and air
conditioning load can be reduced through many means; notable among them is the
proper design and selection of building envelope and its components (Al-Homoud,
2005). Roofs in particular are envelope components for which advanced solutions
can provide significant energy savings in cooled buildings. Since it is the part of the
building that is exposed to the sun which means most of the heat is being projected

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 1

 to it. Roof made out of a thermal insulating material can reflect and absorb the heat to
minimize the effect of climate change.

The use of rice husk in the production of clay roof tiles helps enhance the
structural and thermal properties. This also provides a solution for environmental
damage caused by dumping of waste rice husk. Unlike the previous studies, instead
of using Rice Husk Ash (which is combusted) we are introducing the use of
pulverized rice husk to be more environmental friendly. Since this study addresses
environmental issues, we are trying to avoid burning in the process.

This study is a potential solution to the reduction of energy consumption by

preventing the heat gain or loss through the building envelope. This reduction of
unwanted temperature changes, decreases the energy demand of heating and
cooling systems.

Research Objectives

The purpose of this study was to create a clay roof tile with pulverized rice husk as an
additive.

Specifically, it aimed to achieve the following objectives:

1. To investigate the thermal effect of pulverized rice husk on clay roof tiles.
2. To examine the water tightness, thermal properties and compressive strength of
clay roof tiles with pulverized rice husk.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will redound to the benefit of society considering that clay
roof tiles are commonly used as a replacement for galvanized iron sheets. The thermal
properties of the roof have high demands from the society especially on places where
too much heat occurs. Thus, people that would want to improve the properties of their
roof and reduce the heat transfer from their roof may already have a solution when the
result of this study will be finished. This research will contribute to the existing
knowledge by not only focusing on the properties of clay roof tiles with rice husk but
also on how it will help to reduce the use of electricity and how it will help to convert
agricultural waste into an economic and environmental material. Thus, a new effective
additive for clay roof tiles will be arrived at.

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 2

Review of Related Literature

Today, more than 70 countries produce rice worldwide. The benefits of rice produce
high volumes of rice husk, which is low-density residue of the process. When
disposed of, this residue occupies large areas, where it can self-burn, spreading the
ashes and causing huge damages to the environment. The rice-producing countries
are challenged by the problem of disposing of the rice husk, and have been trying to
use it in an economical manner. Such attempts, however, have been somewhat
frustrating, because of the intrinsic properties of the rice husk, such as hardness,
fibrousness and abrasive nature (Goncalves, Bergmann, 2007).

The generation of solid waste is enormously high. Hence large amount of

environment impacts occurs. Most of the solid waste has appreciable properties.
Therefore, waste materials can be used for various purposes as building materials.
The major quantities of wastes generated from agricultural sources are rice husk,
sugarcane bagasse, jute fiber, coconut husk, cotton stalk, etc. (Perera, Madhushanka
& De Silva, 2015).

Environmentally friendly, energy saving recycle property of material production has

been one of the very important research purposes for decades (Tonnayopas,
Tekasakul, Jaritgnam, 2008).

Rice husk as an additive material for construction

Asbestos sheet roof covering becomes more popular among people mostly
because of easiness in handling, cost effectiveness, and high strength. It has been
found out that the use of asbestos as roofing material cause cancer of the lungs,
larynx and ovary, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. In addition, several thousands of
deaths and other diseases are related to asbestos. Clay roof tiles can be a better
alternative than the usual roofing material such as asbestos, considering several
advantages such as health favourability, better appearance, and thermal absorption
(WHO Publication, 2014).

Rice husk helps to solve the disposal and pollution problems of the rice milling
industry. In addition, small scale of pure silica powder can be widely used for thermal
insulator (Genieva, Turmanova, Dimitrova,and Vlaev, 2008). The use of rice husk in
clay brick production provides an economical contribution and also serves as the
energy efficiency materials for building. It is indicated that rice husk could be an
alternative raw material for production of clay bricks and friendly environments
(Gorhan, 2013).

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 3

Properties of Ground Rice Husk

Physical Properties
Bulk Density and True Density
The bulk density of ungrounded rice husks increased with the increase of
moisture, whereas the bulk density of grounded rice husks decreased. The bulk
density of ground husk was found to be 2.38 to 2.84 times more than that of
ungrounded rice husks. At the same time, the true density of ungrounded husks
increased and that of grounded husks decreased. Thus, ground rice husks swell
when moist. Density (bulk and true) of ungrounded husk increased with moisture
content whereas the density of grounded husk decreased. The same tendency was
observed by other authors, where it is pointed out that the relationship between the
moisture content and true density is linear within the limits of the moisture content in
both the ungrounded and grounded conditions of rice husks (Genieva, 2008).

Chemical Composition
Rice husk is an organic waste and it is a major byproduct of the rice milling
process and agro-based biomass produced in large quantities. Rice husk normally
consists of 20 % of silica, 60 - 65 % of volatile substances, 10 - 15 % of fixed carbon,
and approximately 10 - 15 % of ash (Janbuala, 2015). Moreover, Rice Husk has 40%
cellulose, 30% lignin group and 20% silica. It can absorb the water range from 5% to
16% and the unit weight of rice husk is 83–125 kg/m3 (Gorhan, 2013). According to
Chandarasekhar (2003), the silica present in Rice Husk is in hydrated amorphous
form, either opal or silica gel. However, RH (Rice Husk) on burning gives ash
containing more than 90% silica, which is normally in the crystalline form.
Because of these properties of rice husks, they provide important benefits in
brick production. These wastes reduce the unit weight and improve thermal
properties of the clay brick. While the use of rice husks increases pore volume in clay
structure, also provides environmental benefit by reducing the use of rich soils which
takes a long time to form in brick production (Gorhan, 2013).

Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity

A large quantity of husk is available as waste from rice milling industries. This
can be used as an industrial raw material, for example, as an insulating material,
fillers in plastics, building material, for making panel boards, and activated carbon.
The specific heat of ground husk increased linearly from 0.39 to 0.66kcalkg as its
moisture content increased from 10 to 21%. This behaviour is expected because of
the higher specific heat of water contained in it. The high specific heat of ground husk
offers it as a good insulating material for making insulation board and others. The
thermal conductivity of ground husk increased linearly from 0.056 to 0.085kcal has its

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 4

moisture content increased from 10.2 to 22.7%. Ground husk provides dense packing
of an available size. In general, the husk can be used as a low cost insulating
material for many commercial applications due to its low thermal conductivity (Mishra,
Chakraverty, Banerjee, 1986).

Performance of Clay Bricks with Unground Rice Husk

Water Absorption

Reduction in water absorption rate in brick structure is associated with an

increase in compressive strength. Water absorption rates are high in clay-brick tiles
with unground rice husk up to 10% ratio. Considering the overall decrease of apparent
porosity, this behavior indicates a decrease in the water absorption. The apparent
porosity for bricks mixed with ungrounded rice husk is higher than 30% (Gorhan and
Simsek, 2012).

Compressive Strength

The result shows there was an increase in the compressive strength with the
addition of Rice Husk. The compressive strength of the rice husk/clay mix has been
found to increase with the rice husk content. Firing at 700 C yielded optimum
performance (Ibanga and Ahmed, 2007).

The 5% and 10% addition of rice husk to brick clay exhibit a compressive
strength of 7–10 MPa which means it passed because according to Disaster
Regulation, the minimum strength for building bricks is 5 MPa and the necessary
compressive strength for horizontal perforated brick in TS EN 771-1 is between 2.5
and 7.5 MPa (Gorhan and Simsek, 2012).

Thermal Conductivity

An increase of rice husk leads to an increase in the apparent porosity and this
effect decreased the unit weight and improved the thermal insulating properties
(Ibanga and Ahmed, 2007).It was mentioned that thermal conductivity coefficients
were related to unit weight and porosity in bricks. For this reason, it is thought that
when porosity in the structure increases, thermal conductivity coefficient will decrease.
Also, a decrease in unit weight is expected with increased porosity. Brick samples with
unground rice husk have lower unit weight and thermal conductivity coefficients
(Gorhan and Simsek, 2012).

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 5

 Rice Husks’ absorbent and insulating properties are being used in many
industrial applications, including acting as a strengthening agent in building
materials.Thus, Rice Husk (RH) is recommended as a material in manufacturing clay
roof tiles.Hence, due to the presence of Rice Husk particles in the mixture it would
become more porous. The higher Rice Husk percentage of the tile the lesser the
weight of the tile . Lesser weight for the roof tiles is desirable for roofing material and
will ultimately result to reduction in the cost of material consumed for the foundation
of the roof structure. Effective utilization of Rice Husk (RH) in the production of clay
roof tiles helps to enhance the structural, thermal and runoff performances while
providing a solution for environmental damage caused by Rice Husk as a waste
(Subashi, and Surangi, 2017, Mohanta, Kumar, and Parkash, 2012).

Factors that affect the Performance of Clay Bricks with Rice Husk

Firing Temparature

The effect of weight percent rice husks (as an additive) in clay bricks fired at
500 C, 600C, 700 C and 800 C. The result shows there was an increase in the
compressive strength with the additive. It must also be pointed out that 700 C seems
to be the critical temperature for the firing.
At the temperature of 800 C, we observed a decrease in all the values of the
compressive strength. This may be due to the reactions of alumina, which when
completed made the brick brittle, shrink and warp.
Water absorption of all the bricks decrease with increasing temperature.
However, the density of the burnt bricks increased with increasing temperature and
peaked at 700 C. Observations suggested that firing at 700 C yields the optimum
performance (Ibanga and Ahmed, 20 07).

Rice Husk Content

The addition of Rice Husk by 10 percent, resulting in the best piece of brick
and the properties of Thailand industry standard lightweight brick of C12 and when
adding Rice Husk Ash to 10 percent by weight, it resulted in the best piece of brick
and the properties of Thailand industry standard lightweight brick of C12. The
comparison between the sample with the addition of Rice Husk and Rice Husk Ash
found that the ones with addition of Rice Husk have a density slightly greater than the
ones with addition of Rice Husk Ash. However, the strength of the sample with
addition of Rice Husk was less than the ones with addition of Rice Husk Ash.
Because the amount of Rice Husk ash with a more resolution causes a more porosity
which also affects the density of the piece. However, the resolution makes the particle
distribution of the porosity is uniform and the strength of the piece that is filled with
Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 6
Rice Husk Ash is greater .The addition of Rice Husk Ash caused the microstructure of
porous sample more evenly distributed than the addition of Rice Husk which also has
a larger pore. Finally, work pieces with the addition of Rice Husk production of rice
had a little more porosity and water absorption than the addition of Rice Husk Ash
(Janbuala, 2015).

Color Component

Color is one of the most important properties of bricks in commercial aspect

due to the common belief that the red color is an indicator of a good quality for bricks.
Therefore, majority of the brick producers consider the color formed after firing
process as an important quality indicator. Firing, one of the most important specialized
steps in bricks manufacturing attains the compressive strength of the brick. Due to the
occurrence of high temperature crystalline phases, the compressive strength and the
color of bricks change during firing process of clay material. The compressive strength
slightly increased as the firing temperature gradually increased from 700 to 900 C,
and the increase in strength became more pronounced, as the temperature was
increased further. A gradually darkening color formed on the clay bricks as the firing
temperature was raised further (Karaman, 2006).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pulverized Rice Husk

Rice husk mainly consists of silica, fixed carbon, cellulose, and lignin groups
all of which contribute to its significant water absorption and thermal dispersion.
Likewise, its high specific heat is also a relevant factor on its thermal insulation.
These properties found the theory of this study that Pulverized Rice Husk is a vital
additive to Clay Roof Tiles.

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 7

Process Flowchart

Preparation
and Moulding
Materials Purification of
proportionin
Preparation process g of roof tile Roof tile
specimen

Drying
Comparing Recording Testing of
of of of moulded
results test roof tile roof tile
results

Figure 1: Process Flowchart

Research Procedure

Collection of materials

The samples of rice husk that were used in the study were obtained from a
rice mills around Tuguegarao City. The clay that was used is normal clay, collected
from Iguig, Cagayan where the clay is used for production of pots.

Purification Process

Before use, the rice husks were thoroughly washed – three times with tap
water to remove adhering soil, clay and dust, boiled for an hour to desorb any
impurities and finally, dried at 375±2 K overnight.
The lumps of the clay were crushed to make fine particles and then naturally
dried for several days to remove the inherent moisture
so that it cannot vary the moisture amount used for
making the specimen. The clay particles were
screened to avoid any unwanted foreign particles
like stones, large aggregates or other substances and
to get homogeneous fine clay.

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 8

Preparation of roof tile specimens

The samples were pulverized and screened through an ASTM standard sieve
to obtain the desired grain sizes (325 mesh size). Clay, water and uniformly sized
GRH were first proportioned according to volume percentage. 5%, 10%, 15% and
20% of the total brick volume were taken and mixed with 95%, 90%, 85% and 80%
clay respectively. The mixture was ground, well mixed and became almost a
homogeneous material.

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 9

Moulding of Roof tile

Roof tiles were casted in wooden mould having dimensions of

203mm×127mm×25mm meeting the specifications of Clay Plain Tiling. 1kg of the
clay and rice husk ground mixture will was weighed using a weighing balance and
placed in a mixing bowl. A small quantity of water was added to the mixing bowl and
dry moulding will be carried out. The contents of the bowl were kneaded together
until a smooth ball would produce. This was placed into the mould and compressed
into it by applying pressure until it occupies the entire volume of the mould.

Drying of moulded roof tile

The moulded roof tile was placed in the sun for drying. The roof tile was
removed afterwards. After sun-drying, the tiles were subsequently weighed and the
weights of the samples were recorded again. Then, the tiles were fired in furnace at
temperatures of 500°C, to 800°C. In the furnace, the temperature was gradually
increased to the firing temperature and subsequently maintained for 2 hours. The
temperature of the furnace was gradually reduced to room temperature before
removal of the fired roof tiles.

Laboratory Experiments for Tile Specimens

The following tests are based from the previous study conducted by Subashi De
Silva, G.H.M.J and Surangi, M.L.C. (2017) entitled Effect of waste rice husk ash on
structural, thermal and run-off properties of clay roof tiles

Water tightness

The tile was blocked on either side by two lumps of wet mortar or clay. The pool
between the two weirs was filled with water. The tile is allowed to stand on supports
for one day. This exposure is equivalent to a continuous 24 hour rainfall. The under-
side of the tile was carefully examined. No free water (drips) should seep through the
Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 10
tile. Signs of dampness are acceptable but the less the better. British Standards 473
and 550 specify that less than 25 percent of the under-side of the tile may show
dampness stains.

Water loss from each samples were measured by subtracting the weight of
sample before and after 24 hours. Dampness on the under-side of the tile was
measured.

Thermal properties

Thermal properties were investigated by using an experimental set-up

developed in the similar way as described in a previous study by Halwatura and
Jayasinghe: roof tile specimens were exposed to direct sunlight. Roof tile
specimens were covered with polystyrene board having a thermal conductivity
of 0.028 W/m2 K, in all sides except the top. This uncovered top surface
received direct sunlight. Space between bottom side of the tile and the
polystyrene board were filled with masking tape. This was also necessary to
make sure no air will be trapped between the bottom surface of the tile, and the
polystyrene board. A 4-feet type ‘‘K” thermo couple was placed at the middle of
Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 11
the bottom surfaces of the tile. Tile specimens were exposed to direct sun-light
on a sunny day and temperature were measured by using a digital thermometer
at 30 min intervals from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of roof tile was investigated by using the

compressive strength machine available in the Construction and Building
Materials laboratory. Five bricks from each level of ground rice husk addition
were tested and average compressive strength was calculated. The strength
characteristics will be compared with the brick standards.

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 12

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Properties of tile specimen

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 13
 Table 1. Water Tightness

MIX PROPORTION OF WATER LOSS FROM EACH DAMPNESS ON

PULVERIZED RICE HUSK SAMPLE AFTER 24 HOURS THE UNDER-SIDE
BY VOLUME (mL) OF THE TILE (%)
0% 3 3
5% 8.2 8.2
10% 14.4 14.4
15% 26.5 26.5
20% 33 33

It was found out that all of the specimens showed signs of dampness. As
seen on the table above, the specimen with 0% Pulverized Rise Husk had the
least amount of water loss while the specimen with 20% Pulverized Rise Husk
had the highest amount of water loss. This is because of the voids present in
the specimens. These voids were obtained during the firing process of the tiles
where the PRH was burned causing these voids to appear. Meaning, the higher
the amount of PRH added on the roof tiles, the greater the chance of having
many voids. Therefore, clay roof tiles having no PRH mixed obtained the least
amount of water loss.

Table 2.1 Thermal Properties

TIME OUTSIDE
Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 14
(30 mins TEMPERATUR 0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
interval) E
( ֯C )
8:00 AM 33.3 33.5 33.1 32.9 32.2 32
8:30 AM 33.6 33.8 33.4 33.1 32.3 32.3
9:00 AM 34 34.1 33.6 33.3 33.1 32.4
9:30 AM 34.6 34.9 34.2 33.5 33.2 32.7
10:00 35.1 35.5 34.4 33.6 33.5 32.8
AM
10:30 35.8 35.9 34.6 33.8 33.7 33.2
AM
11:00 36.2 36.3 34.8 33.9 33.9 33.6
AM
11:30 37.4 37.5 34.9 34.3 34.0 33.8
AM
12:00 37.7 37.9 35.5 34.5 34.3 34.1
NOON
12:30 37.9 38.1 35.7 34.7 34.5 34.3
PM
1:00 PM 38.3 38.5 35.8 34.8 34.6 34.6
1:30 PM 38.8 38.8 36.0 34.9 34.8 34.9
2:00 PM 39.5 39.8 36.3 35.5 35.3 35.0
2:30 PM 39.8 40.2 36.8 35.7 35.4 35.3
3:00 PM 37.6 37.8 36.1 35.8 35.6 35.4
3:30 PM 37.3 37.5 35.7 35.1 34.9 34.6
4:00 PM 36.6 36.9 35.4 34.7 34.8 34.5
4:30 PM 36.2 36.8 35.2 34.4 34.2 34.1
5:00 PM 36.1 36.5 34.6 34.1 33.7 33.5
5:30 PM 35.9 36.3 34.5 33.7 33.2 33.1
6:00 PM 35.8 35.9 33.0 32.6 32.4 32.3

The Table shown below is the percent difference of the outside

temperature and the inside temperature referred from the Table above.

Table 2.2 Percent Difference between outside and inside temperature

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 15

 Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
Difference Difference Difference Difference Difference
TIME (0% (5% (10% (15% (20%
sample) sample) sample) sample) sample)
8:00 AM -0.601 0.6 1.202 3.304 3.904
8:30 AM -0.596 0.595 1.489 3.87 3.87
9:00 AM -0.295 1.176 2.059 2.648 4.706
9:30 AM -0.868 1.156 3.18 4.047 5.492
10:00
-1.14 1.994 4.274 4.559 6.553
AM
10:30
-0.28 3.351 5.587 5.866 7.263
AM
11:00
-0.277 3.867 6.354 6.354 7.183
AM
11:30
-0.268 6.684 8.289 9.091 9.626
AM
12:00
-0.531 5.835 8.489 9.019 9.55
NOON
12:30
-0.528 5.804 8.444 8.971 9.499
PM
1:00 PM -0.523 6.527 9.139 9.661 9.661
1:30 PM 0 7.216 10.052 10.31 10.052
2:00 PM -0.76 8.101 10.127 10.633 11.393
2:30 PM -1.006 7.537 10.302 11.056 11.307
3:00 PM -0.532 3.989 4.788 5.32 5.852
3:30 PM -0.537 4.289 5.899 6.435 7.239
4:00 PM -0.82 3.278 5.192 4.919 5.738
4:30 PM -1.658 2.762 4.973 5.525 5.802
5:00 PM -1.109 4.155 5.541 6.649 7.203
5:30 PM -1.115 3.899 6.129 7.521 7.8
6:00 PM -0.28 7.821 8.939 9.498 9.777

The 5 specimens were exposed to direct sunlight starting from 8 in the

morning up to 6 in the afternoon and were compared. The conventional roof tile
(0% PRH content) shows the highest temperature, while the highest percentage
of PRH (20%) contained tile shows the lowest temperature. For example, at 12
noon, the highest temperature of 37.9 °C and the lowest of 34.1 °C were
recorded in roof tiles with PRH contents of 0% and 20%, respectively. This
indicates a trend in reducing the indoor temperature when the PRH percentage
Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 16
on the roof tile increases. This reduction in the thermal conductivity may be due
to the improved porous nature of roof tile with the addition of PRH. Therefore,
by having PRH added on clay roof tiles, indoor environment can be made
further cooler.

Table 2.3 Significant Difference of Temperature Across Rise Husk

Percentages

Groups N Mean F-Test Significant Decision

Temperature Difference
Outside 21
temperature
0 21
5 21
10 21
15 21
20 21

Compressive Strength

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 17

 Compressive strength is a very important parameter which is used to meet
engineering quality in construction material applications. Therefore,
compressive strength test was conducted upon the 5 specimens mainly with
0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% Pulverized Rice Husk (PRH).

Table 3. Compressive Strength

Specimen PRH Specimen Specimen Compressive

Compressive destroy load Strength
Area
1 0% 18241.454 208.913 11.5
2 5% 18241.454 128.845 7.1
3 10% 18241.454 89.237 4.9
4 15% 18241.454 82.775 4.5
5 20% 18241.454 75.149 4.1

In the 5 specimens, it was found out that the maximum compressive

strength recorded was 11.5 MPa for the roof tiles cast with 0% PRH mixture
and 4.1 MPa for roof tiles cast with 20% PRH. The amount of PRH present in
these specimens affected the strength of each sample. Therefore, clay roof tiles
containing no PRH achieved the highest compressive strength and reduction in
the breaking strength can be observed with increasing PRH beyond 10% in the
mixture.

Table 4. Summary of Results

PRH Water Thermal Compressive
Percent Tightness Insulation Strength
Volume
0% Pass Fail Pass
5% Pass Pass Pass
10% Pass Pass Pass
15% Fail Pass Pass
20% Fail Pass Fail

Thus, effective utilization of PRH in the production of clay roof tiles helps to
enhance the structural and thermal properties, while providing a solution for
environmental problems caused by open dumping and piling of Rice Husk as a
waste.

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 18

Conclusion

This study concludes that optimum usage of Pulverized Rise Husk is 10% while
enhancing the compressive, thermal, and water tightness performance of roof tiles.
The specimen with 10% Pulverized Rise Husk obtained a compressive strength of
4.9 MPa which is less than the strength of the 0% and 5% sample but according to
Gorhan and Simsek (2012), the standard strength for building bricks is between 4.5-5
MPa. This made the 10% PRH sample pass the minimum strength for building bricks.
Moreover, the dampness stain of the 10% sample is 14.4% making it acceptable to
use because as specified from the British Standards 473 and 550, less than 25% of
the under-side of the tile may show dampness stains but the less the better. Lastly,
the higher Pulverized Rise husk content of a brick, the higher cooling ability it could
give, thus reducing the temperature. Although the 20% specimen has the highest
percentage of cooling ability of the bricks, the 10% sample would be considered as
the model specimen since any of the specimens presented in this study would be
acceptable as long as there is PRH present.

Recommendation

In light of the results of the different test that has been conducted, the following are
recommended to further improve the product:

 An additional admixture such as hydrophilic crystalline should be added to

provide a great resistance to infiltration of water. These crystalline deposits
block both pores and micro cracks in the clay, to prevent the passage of water.
 The duration of time on the testing of the thermal property should be extended
to furthermore observe the cooling down of the product.
Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 19
 APPENDICES

Appendix A

References

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of waste sugarcane, bagasse and rice husk ashes. Construction and Building Materials, 120: 29–41.

Abdulhafiz, U., Otuoze, H. S., Raheem, M. O. (2013). Properties of Rice Husk Ash Stabilized Laterite Roof Tiles.
Leonardo Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies ISSN, 1583-1078: 41-50.

Agbede I. O, Joel M. (2011). Effect of rice husk ash (RHA) on the properties of Ibaji burnt clay bricks. American
Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 2(4): 674-677.

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Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 22

Appendix B

Definition of Terms

Silica – a mineral that exists in various forms, including sand, quartz, and is used to
make glass and cement.
Thermal Conductivity - the degree to which a specified material conducts electricity,
calculated as the ratio of the current density in the material to the electric field that
causes the flow of current. It is the reciprocal of the resistivity.

Compressive Strength - the resistance of a material to breaking under compression.

Water Tightness - not permitting the passage of water either in or out

Dampness – the state or condition of being slightly wet

Moisture Content – the quantity of water contained in a mineral, such as soil, rock,
ceramics, crops, or wood. It is used in a wide range of scientific and technical areas,
and is expressed as a ratio, which can range from 0 (completely dry) to the value of
the materials’ porosity at saturation.

Report
Roof tile (0%) No.

Basic information:
No.
specimen compressive
No. diameter
area(A)
1 152.400 18241.454
specimen destroy tensile
No.
load(F) strength(fcc)
1 208.913 11.5

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 23

 1 : Load-Time Curve
300
Load(kN)

200

100

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Time(s)

Report
No.
Roof Tile (5%)
Basic information:
No.
No. diameter specimen compressive area(A)
1 152.400 18241.454
specimen destroy tensile
No.
load(F) strength(fcc)
1 128.845 7.1

1 : Load-Time Curve
150
Load(kN)

100

50

0
0 10 20 30 40
Time(s)

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 24

 Report
No.
Roof Tile (10%)
Basic information:
No.
No. diameter specimen compressive area(A)
1 152.400 18241.454
specimen destroy tensile
No.
load(F) strength(fcc)
1 89.237 4.9

1 : Load-Time Curve
100
80
Load(kN)

60
40
20
0
0 10 20 30 40
Time(s)

Report
No.
Roof Tile (15%)
Basic information:
No.
No. diameter specimen compressive area(A)
1 152.400 18241.454
No. specimen destroy tensile

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 25

 load(F) strength(fcc)
1 82.775 4.5

1 : Load-Time Curve
100
80
Load(kN)

60
40
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Time(s)

Report
No.
Roof Tile (20%)
Basic information:

No.

No. diameter specimen compressive area(A)

1 152.400 18241.454
specimen destroy tensile
No.
load(F) strength(fcc)
1 75.149 4.1

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 26

 1 : Load-Time Curve
80

Load(kN) 60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(s)

Clay Roof Tiles with Pulverized Rice Husk| 27