scholarly journals Research on Eco-friendly Alkali Activated Concrete Incorporating Industrial Wastes

In the present scenario, the production of green and sustainable concrete has become a must to substitute the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete. It is an eminent fact that the manufacture of OPC requires burning of its raw materials which lead to a huge amount of carbon dioxide liberation; thus it requires a large amount of energy dissipation. The concrete produced using alkali activation has become renowned methods to replace the conventional OPC, which gives an answer to find a way to produce environmentally friendly concrete. In the current study, the alkaline activator used to activate the binder was sodium hydroxide solution dispersed in liquid sodium silicate. The utilization of industrial dissipate materials such as GGBS, fly ash, and waste glass powder was used as the binding ingredients, and stone crusher dust was used as fine aggregates. The experimental investigation showed that a quality concrete can be easily produced using alkali activation of industrial wastes satisfying its strength requirements. The statistical models developed shown that there is a significant relationship between various cube and cylinder strengths. Thus alkali-activated concrete(AAC) can effectively reduce the environmental hazards associated with OPC concrete, which also provides an effective way of utilizing major industrial byproducts

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1534 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Henrique Campos Teixeira ◽  
Paulo Roberto Ribeiro Soares Junior ◽  
Thiago Henrique Silva ◽  
Richard Rodrigues Barreto ◽  
Augusto Cesar da Silva Bezerra

The civil construction industry consumes huge amounts of raw materials and energy, especially infrastructure. Thus, the use of eco-friendly materials is indispensable to promote sustainable development. In this context, the present work investigated low-carbon concrete to produce eco-friendly paving blocks. The binder was defined according to two approaches. In the first, a binary binder developed with eucalyptus biomass ash (EBA) and silica fume (SF) was used, in total replacement for Portland cement. In the second, the mixture of residues was used as a precursor in alkali-activation reactions, forming alkali-activated binder. The experimental approach was carried out using five different mixtures, obtained by varying the amount of water or sodium hydroxide solution. The characterization of this new material was carried out using compressive strength, expandability, water absorption, deep abrasion, microstructural investigation, and organic matter degradation potential. The results showed that the EBA-SF system has a performance compatible with Portland cement when used as an alternative binder, in addition to functioning as a precursor to alkali-activated concrete. The blocks produced degraded organic matter, and this degradation is more intense with the incidence of UV. In this way, the EBA-SF binder can be successfully used for the manufacture of ecological paving blocks with low carbon emissions.


Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adediran ◽  
Yliniemi ◽  
Illikainen

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are an environmentally friendly option for Portland cement mortars and concretes. Many industrial residues such as blast furnace slag and coal fly ash have been extensively studied and applied as AAM precursors but much less focus has been on the use of fayalite slags. Water-cooled fayalite slag comes in granular form, which is then milled into fine powder (d50 ~10 microns) prior to its alkali activation. In addition, the un-milled granular fayalite slag can be used as an aggregate to replace sand in mortar. The alkaline solution utilized for the study was a mix of 10 M sodium hydroxide solution and commercial potassium silicate solution. A liquid to solid ratio of 0.15 was held constant for all the mixes. The particle size distributions of the binder and the aggregates were optimized, and the microstructure and chemical composition of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) was studied using scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. ITZ is a region that exists between the aggregate and the binder and this can influence the mechanical and transport properties of the construction materials. The results showed that the mechanical properties of mortar having fayalite slag as aggregate and binder was significantly higher than one with standard sand as aggregate. No distinct ITZ was found in the samples with fayalite slag as aggregate. The outer rim of the fayalite slag aggregate participated in the hardening reaction and this significantly contributed to the bonding and microstructural properties of the mortar samples. In contrast, an ITZ was observed in mortar samples with standard sand aggregates, which contributed to its lower strength.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11286
Author(s):  
Marina Paula Secco ◽  
Débora Thaís Mesavilla ◽  
Márcio Felipe Floss ◽  
Nilo Cesar Consoli ◽  
Tiago Miranda ◽  
...  

The increasingly strong search for alternative materials to Portland cement has resulted in the development of alkali-activated cements (AAC) that are very effective at using industrial by-products as raw materials, which also contributes to the volume reduction in landfilled waste. Several studies targeting the development of AAC—based on wastes containing silicon and calcium—for chemical stabilization of soils have demonstrated their excellent performance in terms of durability and mechanical performance. However, most of these studies are confined to a laboratory characterization, ignoring the influence and viability of the in situ construction process and, also important, of the in situ curing conditions. The present work investigated the field application of an AAC based on carbide lime and glass wastes to stabilize fine sand acting as a superficial foundation. The assessment was supported on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and initial shear modulus (G0) of the developed material, and the field results were compared with those prepared in the laboratory, up to 120 days curing. In situ tests were also developed on the field layers (with diameters of 450 and 900 mm and thickness of 300 mm) after different curing times. To establish a reference, the mentioned precursors were either activated with a sodium hydroxide solution or hydrated with water (given the reactivity of the lime). The results showed that the AAC-based mixtures developed greater strength and stiffness at a faster rate than the water-based mixtures. Specimens cured under controlled laboratory conditions showed better results than the samples collected in the field. The inclusion of the stabilized layers clearly increased the load-bearing capacity of the natural soil, while the different diameters produced different failure mechanisms, similar to those found in Portland cement stabilization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 931-943
Author(s):  
Girts Bumanis ◽  
Danute Vaiciukyniene

Abstract The search for alternative alumosilicates source for production of alkali activated materials (AAM) is intensively researched. Wide spread of natural materials such as clays and waste materials are one of potential alternatives. In this research AAM was made from local waste brick made of red clay and calcined low-carbonate illite clay precursor and its properties evaluated. Waste silica gel containing amorphous silica from fertilizer production plant was proposed as additional raw material. 6 M and 7 M NaOH alkali activation solutions were used to obtain AAM. Raw materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, laser particle size analyser, DTA/TG. Raw illite clay was calcined at a temperature of 700 to 800 °C. Waste brick was ground similar as raw clay and powder was obtained. Replacement of red clay with silica gel from 2–50 wt.% in mixture composition was evaluated. Results indicate that the most effective activator was 6 M NaOH solution and AAM with strength up to 13 MPa was obtained. Ground brick had the highest strength results and compressive strength of AAM reached 25 MPa. Silica gel in small quantities had little effect of AAM strength while significant strength reduction was observed with the increase silica gel content. The efflorescence was observed for samples with silica gel.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (335) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Stoleriu ◽  
I. N. Vlasceanu ◽  
C. Dima ◽  
A. I. Badanoiu ◽  
G. Voicu

Porous alkali activated materials (AAM), can be obtained from waste glass powder and slag mixtures by alkali activation with NaOH solution. To obtain an adequate porous microstructure, the hardened AAM pastes were thermally treated at temperatures ranging between 900°C and 1000°C, for 60 or 30 minutes. Due to the intumescent behaviour specific for this type of materials, an important increase of the volume and porosity occurs during the thermal treatment. The partial substitution of waste glass powder with slag, determines the increase of compressive strength assessed before (up to 37 MPa) and after (around 10 MPa) thermal treatment; the increase of slag dosage also determines the increase of the activation temperature of the intumescent process (above 950°C). The high porosity and the specific microstructure (closed pores with various shapes and sizes) of these materials recommend them to be utilised as thermal and acoustical insulation materials.


2021 ◽  
pp. 252-261

The combustion of fossil fuels results in creating a lot of solid wastes such as fly ash and slag. However, these environmentally unfriendly materials can be used as a raw material for alkali activation – geopolymerization. Although these wastes have been successfully used in industrial production for several decades, its use does not achieve the level of its potential. Today, to achieve a sustainable construction industry, alternative cement has been extensively investigated. Geopolymer (GP) is a kind of material that is obtained from the alkaline activator, and it can be produced from industrial wastes or by-products. The aim of this work was to describe the improvement of mechanical properties of alkali-activated binders – geopolymers made of fly ash and blast furnace slag. The effect of the addition of waste glass in three different values feed into fly ash or GGBFS, and its impact on mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strengths) of geopolymers was examined. The highest value of compressive strength was achieved with 20% waste glass addition to a fly ash sample on 90th day 58,9 MPa. The waste glass was added in the form of broken and crushed glass particles.


Abstract. To overcome the shortage of natural resources for the production of concrete, many waste materials are used to replace the raw materials of concrete. In this way, bottom ash is one of the major industrial wastes which shall be used as the replacement of materials in concrete production. It shall be used to replace the materials either up to one-third. This review brings out the evaluation of the industrial waste material which can be repeatedly used as a substitution for concrete as fine aggregate. This paper reviewed the use of industrial waste i.e., bottom ash as fine aggregate in the concrete. The parameters discussed were physical, chemical, fresh, and hardened properties of the concrete with partial replacement of bottom ash. By reviewing some of the research papers, concluded that 10-15% replacement of fine aggregates is acceptable for all the properties of concrete. High utilization of natural sources -gives the pathway to produce more industrial wastes which are responsible for the development of new sustainable development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-191
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kljajevic ◽  
Miljana Mirkovic ◽  
Sabina Dolenec ◽  
Katarina Ster ◽  
Mustafa Hadzalic ◽  
...  

The potential re-use of red mud in the building and construction industry has been the subject of research of many scientists. The presented research is a contribution to the potential solution of this environmental issue through the synthesis of potential construction materials based on red mud. A promising way of recycling these secondary raw materials is the synthesis of alkali-activated binders or alkali activated materials. Alkali-activated materials or inorganic binders based on red mud are a new class of materials obtained by activation of inorganic precursors mainly constituted by silica, alumina and low content of calcium oxide. Since red mud contains radioactive elements like 226Ra and 232Th, this may be a problem for its further utilization. The content of naturally occurring radionuclides in manufactured material products with potential application in the building and construction industry is important from the standpoint of radiation protection. Gamma radiation of the primordial radionuclides, 40K and members of the uranium and thorium series, increases the external gamma dose rate. However, more and more precedence is being given to limiting the radiological dose originating from building materials on the population these days. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible influence of alkali activation-polymerization processes on the natural radioactivity of alkali activated materials synthesized by red mud (BOKSIT a. d. Milici, Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and their structural properties. This research confirmed that during the polymerization process the natural radioactivity was reduced, and that the process of alkali activation of raw materials has an influence on natural radioactivity of synthesized materials.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 7717
Author(s):  
Eliana Parcesepe ◽  
Rosa Francesca De Masi ◽  
Carmine Lima ◽  
Gerardo Maria Mauro ◽  
Giuseppe Maddaloni ◽  
...  

Alkali-activated concrete (AAC) could be a solution to use a cement-less binder and recycled materials for producing concrete reducing the carbon dioxide emission and the demand for raw materials, respectively. In addition to the environmental aspect, AACs can achieve mechanical characteristics higher than those of ordinary Portland concrete (OPC) but also an improvement of the thermal insulation capacity. Despite the positive results available in the scientific literature, the use of AACs in construction practice is still limited mainly due to the absence of codification for the mix design and consequently of specific design rules. In this paper, AAC produced by ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) and silica fume is investigated for the production of structural elements and to discuss the reliability of formulations for evaluating mechanical properties, necessary for structural design. The mechanical strengths (compression strength, tensile strength, flexural strength) are evaluated by experimental tests according to different curing times (7, 14, 28, 90 days) in ambient conditions and the thermal conductivity is measured to understand the effect that the material could have on thermal losses for a sustainable building perspective. The results showed that AAC strengths depend on the curing time and the exposure conditions, and the insulation properties can be improved compared to the traditional Portland cement with the proposed composition.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawaz Kurda ◽  
Rui Vasco Silva ◽  
Jorge de Brito

In the light of one of the most common waste management issues in urban areas, namely the elimination of municipal solid waste (MSW; about 486 kg of the waste per capita were generated in the EU in 2017), this study discusses one technique as an outlet in the construction industry for the by-product of the waste’s incineration in energy recovery facilities (i.e., MSW incinerator bottom ash—MIBA). There have been some investigations on the use of MIBA as partial replacement of cement to be used in cementitious composites, such as concrete and mortars. However, the waste’s incorporation ratio is limited since further products of hydration may not be produced after a given replacement level and can lead to an unsustainable decline in performance. In order to maximize the incorporation of MIBA, some research studies have been conducted on the alkali activation of the waste as precursor. Thus, this study presents an extensive literature review of the most relevant investigations on the matter to understand the material’s applicability in construction. It analyses the performance of the alkali-activated MIBA as paste, mortar, and concrete from different perspectives. This literature review was made using search engines of several databases. In each database, the same search options were repeated using combinations of various representative keywords. Furthermore, several boundaries were made to find the most relevant studies for further inspection. The main findings of this review have shown that the chemical composition and reactivity of MIBA vary considerably, which may compromise performance comparison, standardization and commercialization. There are several factors that affect the performance of the material that need to be considered, e.g., type and content of precursor, alkaline activator, curing temperature and time, liquid to solid ratio, among others. MIBA-based alkali-activated materials (AAM) can be produced with a very wide range of compressive strength (0.3–160 MPa). The main factor affecting the performance of this precursor is the existence of metallic aluminum (Al), which leads to damaging expansive reactions and an increase in porosity due to hydrogen gas generation stemming from the reaction with the alkaline activator. Several approaches have been proposed to eliminate this issue. The most effective solution was found to be the removal of Al by means of eddy current electromagnetic separation.


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