Development of Fly Ash Slag Based Ambient Cured Geopolymer Concrete and its Applications

Abstract

There is a critical need for alternate construction materials that incorporate the use of renewable energy, resulting in lower CO2 emissions and thereby mitigating damage to the environment. Geopolymers, a subclass of alkali-activated materials, can be synthesised from industrial by-products like fly ash, ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and other wastes, which are rich in silica and alumina and disposed of globally. Cement manufacturing accounts for 7% of global CO2 emissions due to high processing temperatures. Replacing it in part or entirely with materials produced at a lower temperature will significantly reduce the quantum of harmful gas emissions released into the atmosphere. newlineWithout depleting natural resources like water for curing concrete and contaminating the atmosphere by harmful CO2 emission, industrial by-products can be utilised effectively instead of dumping them on barren lands or disposing them off in water bodies. Geopolymer concrete has a distinct advantage; it does not require water curing, which is a key requirement for OPC concrete newline