Development of an innovative one part green concrete

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials. However, the main drawbacks in the use of concrete are related to the use of cement and subsequently the high percentage of carbon dioxide emissions. The use of cement substitutes is an area where there is a lot of ongoing research. Geopolymer concrete is a concrete in which cement is replaced by waste materials such as Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA), or Ground Granulated Blast Slag (GGBS). To activate the geopolymerisisation, an alkali activator is used. The procedure, which is used for the production of a geopolymer concrete, is normally a two-part procedure: Preparation of the alkali activator one day before the mixing and mixing of the aluminosilicate sources (PFA, GGBS) with the activator. To make the production of geopolymers more user friendly it needs to be converted to one part procedure where water will be added in a readymade mix. In the published literature, there is research on one part geopolymers, but there are limited studies on the use of demolition waste materials as substitution of PFA and GGBS in this type of materials. With the current study, different sources of raw materials focusing on demolition waste materials such as red bricks and reclaimed concrete, which are commonly used in constructions worldwide, will be examined for the production of one part geopolymer. The major aim of this research proposal is to develop an innovative sustainable one part cement free geopolymer concrete. The new concrete is a “green” concrete where cement is replaced by waste materials. Construction demolition materials such as red bricks can be used as raw materials in the geopolymer matrix. This project will focus on the selection, characterisation and development of the appropriate processing of these red bricks so as they can be used as raw materials in the geopolymer matrix. Also, the development of one part mix so as the new concrete to be ready for use by adding only water in it, is another aim of the proposed project.