Experimental study on strength and durability properties of cementless alkali activated concrete incorporating agricultural and industrial wastes

Abstract

The cement industry and current construction methods pose significant challenges to sustainability due to their substantial energy consumption and dependence on natural resources. The expanding industrial sectors in emerging nations highlight the urgent need for efficient waste management solutions. Researchers have developed a cementless binder called alkali activated concrete (AAC) by combining industrial or agricultural waste materials with an alkali activator and aggregates to reduce carbon emissions and achieve environmental sustainability, surpassing the performance of ordinary concrete. The performance of AAC depends on binder type, molar ratio and curing temperature. The AAC with fly ash (FA) requires heat curing, making it suitable for precast concrete components but not cast-in-situ applications. newline