The ash produced by the burning of the rice husk presents potential for application in mortar production because has high silica content (SiO2), and so it can be used as pozzolan. This research aimed to verify the viability of rice husk ash (RHA) added to mortars for bricklaying. Chemical and mineralogical characterization of RHA was initially carried out and the pozzolanic activity was determined. For the production of mortars, the consistence of each mixture studied was determined and then reference mortars (without CCA) and mortars with incorporated RHA were produced with 6, 9, 15, 20 and 30% of RHA in partial substitution of cement for mortar 1:2:9 (mass ratio), in curing period of 28, 63 and 91 days for determination of mass density in the hardened material, water absorption and compressive strength. The results obtained allowed it to conclude that RHA presents pozzolanicity and the mortars with incorporated RHA had values superior to the reference mixtures in relation to the physical and mechanical performance probably due to pozzolanic reactions and that the utilization of RHA in mortars is feasible in relation to the technical and ecological aspects.
mortars for bricklaying; pozolans; residues
