Characterization and Early Age Physical Properties of Ambient Cured Geopolymer Mortar Based on Class C Fly Ash

Abstract

The critical element for sustainable growth in the construction industry is the development of alternative cements. A new technological process called geopolymerization provides an innovative solution, and the presence of aluminum and silicon oxides in fly ash has encouraged its use as a source material. Many previous investigations have involved curing the binder in a heated environment. To reduce energy consumption during the synthesis of geopolymers, the present study investigated the properties of ambient cured geopolymer mortar at early ages. An experimental program was executed to establish a relationship between the activator composition and the properties of geopolymer mortar in fresh and hardened states. Concentrations of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were ascertained that are advantageous for constructability and mechanical behavior. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were also used to characterize the material. Test results indicate that there is potential for the concrete industry to use fly ash based geopolymer as an alternative to portland cement.

Analysis of Active Ion-Leaching Behavior and the Reaction Mechanism During Alkali Activation of Low-Calcium Fly Ash

“…Fly ash has been widely used as a building material and as a component in products such as cement, concrete products, construction products, bridge engineering products and geopolymers (Blissett and Rowson 2012;Çiçek and Cincin 2015;Kotwal et al 2015;Kim et al 2016;Roychand et al 2016). In recent decades, fly ash has generally been used as a raw material in mine paste backfilling (MPB) in China.…”

Effect of fly ash geopolymer with 15% barium Sulphate as a design shielding box on radiation attenuation using GafchramicXR-QA2 film dosimetry

“…On the other hand, using cement Portland in Xray room wall can result in carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 5% of global carbon dioxide production or approximately 1.5 tons per year [1]. In addition to this problem related to the use of cement Portland in X-ray room wall, several drawbacks have been reported to be connected to the use of concrete.…”

Equivalent Thicknesses of Lead and Fly ash Geopolymer with Addition of Barium Sulphate in Radiation Protection

“…The barium borate -fly ash glasses are better shields to attenuate radiations in comparison to the standard radiation shielding concretes [3]. On the other hand, using cement Portland in X-ray room wall construction has some disadvantages such as the production of Portland cement is consequently one of the largest global sources of combustion and chemical process related carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 5 % of global carbon dioxide production or approximately 1.5 tonnes per year [4]. Thus, a small reduction of Portland cement production could result in significant environmental benefits in terms of CO 2 emission [5].…”

“…One possible alternative is the use of alkali-activated binders using fly ash. The current trend in the construction industry is leaning more towards sustainable practices every year, making research valuable by providing a means to limit waste and recycle material [4]. An added benefit is to convert a waste product into a useful byproduct radiation protection shields.…”