Rice Husk Ash in Sustainable Concrete: A Hybrid Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Performance, Durability, and Data-Driven Material Design

Rice husk ash (RHA) has emerged as a promising supplementary cementitious material (SCM) for sustainable construction due to its high silica content and potential to reduce the environmental impact of concrete. However, the evolution of RHA research and its transition toward advanced, data-driven material systems remain insufficiently synthesised. This study presents an integrated bibliometric analysis (BA) and systematic literature review (SLR) in which Scopus-indexed publications from 2007 to 2021 establish the historical evolution and structural dynamics of the field, while studies published between 2022 and 2026 are systematically reviewed to capture emerging developments and ensure contemporary relevance. The bibliometric analysis reveals a steady increase in research activity and identifies a shift from experimental material optimisation toward sustainability and computational modelling. When interpreted alongside the systematic review findings, this trend reflects a structured Past–Present–Future evolution of RHA research, from feasibility studies to microstructural optimisation and, more recently, to predictive and data-driven material design. The systematic review confirms that optimally processed RHA, typically at 10–30% cement replacement, enhances compressive strength, durability, and resistance to aggressive environments through improved pozzolanic reactivity and microstructural densification. Recent studies (2022–2026) further demonstrate the integration of machine learning, life-cycle assessment, and digital modelling approaches for performance prediction, mix optimisation, and sustainability evaluation. By linking bibliometric trends with scientific insights, this study identifies key research gaps, including the lack of standardisation in RHA production, limited large-scale validation, and weak integration of experimental and computational approaches, and proposes an integrated five-tier framework, moving from material standardisation through performance validation and computational intelligence to sustainability integration and industrial-policy adoption, to guide future research and implementation. The findings highlight the transition of RHA from a conventional SCM to a component of intelligent, sustainable, and circular construction systems, providing a foundation for future research and industrial application.