Study of cement composites on addition of rice husk

•Rice husk is compatible with the cement.•Rice husk interjoists are very strong despite their low density.•Rice husk concrete can be used as building materials, especially in countries with tropical or arid climate. This work is part of the dynamic of sustainable development and the protection of the environment, by the valorization of agricultural waste in the construction. In this study, rice husks were used as plant aggregates in a cement matrix to produce lightweight concretes used in building materials. For this purpose, studies of compatibility of the cement with rice husk were carried out, as well as the physical, mechanical and thermal behavior of the concretes obtained. The compatibility study revealed that the rice husk, although not pre-treated, is compatible with CEM II B-LL 32.5 R cement. Flexural, compression and shear strengths were determined. The punch-bending behavior of interjoists and thermal properties such as effusivity, conductivity and diffusivity were also determined. The results obtained are promising: from a physical point of view, made-up composites can be classified in the lightweigt concrete category. They have very good mechanical and thermal properties that allow their use as building materials such as blocks, interjoists and false ceilings, especially in countries with tropical or arid climate.