The potential for using geopolymer concrete in the UK

Abstract

Geopolymers are a novel class of inorganic polymers, which have the potential to replace Portland cement in a number of different applications. Geopolymers can utilise a higher level of industrial by-products than Portland cement blends and numerous studies have concluded geopolymer concretes have significantly lower embodied carbon dioxide than Portland-cement-based concretes. This paper examines the potential for the use of geopolymer binders as a Portland cement replacement in the UK. The quantities of material required, the major sources of these materials, the environmental implications and the barriers to implementation are discussed. Construction Materials Volume 166 Issue CM4

The greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options for materials used in UK construction

“…Only one UK company currently produces commercial geopolymer concrete products, though Australian examples such as Zeobond are more established (producing E-Crete™ since 2007). Significant material resources exist in the UK for producing geopolymer concrete, including large stockpiles of PFA [67]. This could yield reductions in embodied emissions of 36-56% compared with OPC 5 [68].…”

Cleaner production of the lightweight insulating composites: Microstructure, pore network and thermal conductivity

“…The hypothesis that it is possible to provide significant reductions in the GWP of clay-based geopolymers without affecting their chemical composition and therefore mechanical performance has been conclusively Page 4 of 20 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 4 proven [10]. The use of multiple precursors, activators and curing temperatures for geopolymer manufacture can lead to complex mix design, but has the potential to reduce the GWP to a level well below that of "just add water" Portland cement [10][11][12][13][14][15]. The sawdust which is the principal raw materials here is a by-product considered as wastes in some situations.…”

Resistance of geopolymer and Portland cement based systems to silage effluent attack

“…In 2014, 70% of the PFA produced in the UK was used in the manufacture of construction materials [21]. Nonetheless there are approximately 114 million tonnes of PFA stockpiled accessibly in the UK [22] and in many countries around the world utilisation of PFA is a major problem with as little as 7% being utilised effectively [23].…”