EFFECTS OF PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT WITH RICE HUSK ASH AND CO2 CURING ON THERMO-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF RATTAN PALM FIBRE-REINFORCED COMPOSITE ROOFING TILES

This study investigated effects of partial replacement of cement with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and CO₂ curing on thermos-physical properties of rattan cane fibre-reinforced roofing tiles. Mature rattan (Laccosperma secundiflorum) canes were sun-dried, hammer-milled, and treated with dilute NaOH (10% w/v). Triplicate samples of 160 x 50 x 6 mm composite tiles were produced with 3% fibre content using 0.5 cement/water ratio. Cement was replaced with 0 (control), 10, and 20% Rice Husk Ash (RHA) (w/w) in samples cured in water and CO₂ gas respectively. Addition of 10% RHA coupled with CO₂ curing significantly reduced the moisture content. Above 10% RHA addition, there was no significant difference in densities of water and CO2 -cured tiles. There was also no significant difference in the apparent porosity and thermal conductivity of water- and CO₂-cured samples.