Influence of Rice Husk Ash and Nanosilica on the Performance of Sustainable Ternary Blended Concrete Mixes

In response to the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices, alternative cement replacements are being explored to lower the environmental impact of conventional concrete. This research focuses on evaluating the fresh and mechanical properties of ternary blended concrete mixes incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) and nano silica (NS) as supplementary cementitious materials for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). RHA, a reactive by-product of rice milling, and nano silica, a nano-sized material with high pozzolanic reactivity, were utilized to improve the performance of concrete. Mix designs were formulated by substituting cement with 5–20% RHA and 1–4% NS by weight. The experimental findings illustrated enhanced mechanical properties in the ternary blends compared to the control mix, with the most significant improvements observed at 15% RHA and 3% NS. The combined pozzolanic action of RHA and NS resulted in enhanced strength development because of the accelerated hydration and reduced voids.