Construction Material Use of Geopolymer Concrete Technology
Executive Summary
Concrete is the most heavily used construction material in the modern world, and given the current global trends towards sustainability there is a need for significant advances, particularly in the construction sector. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a recent development in construction materials demonstrating similar structural properties to that of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) based concrete, yet whilst at the same time addressing the environmental footprint of the industry and economic concerns. GPC makes use of hazardous waste from several manufacturing process, which has obvious economic and environmental benefits. This allows GPC to have a far lower, in some cases up to 80%, embodied energy and carbon content than traditional concrete.
In terms of structural properties, GPC can have a characteristic compressive strength of up to 90MPa, depending on curing conditions and mix design. For example, 30 to 40MPa is indicative of strength attainable within 3 to 4 days of pouring, yet for OPC based concrete this is roughly 5 days. However, academics have also put forward curing conditions can have a significant impact on these figures, with some studies showing 90MPa achievable in as little as 6 hours (Gourley et al. 2011). In addition, GPC has a higher tensile strength which in some applications may make steel reinforcement obsolete. GPC properties such as low shrinkage and improved acid, sulphate and fire resistance, give it improved durability. This therefore makes GPC a viable replacement for project applications such as sewerage systems, corrosive environments and radioactive and hazardous material containment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary i
1 Introduction 1
2 Structural properties 2
2.1 Geopolymer concrete mix 2
2.2 Strength and Durability 3
2.3 Curing and workability 3
3 Need for geopolymer concrete 4
4 Applications 5
5 Environmental concerns 6
6 Conclusions: 9
7 References 11
Introduction
Concrete is the most
Concrete is the most heavily used construction material in the modern world, and given the current global trends towards sustainability there is a need for significant advances, particularly in the construction sector. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a recent development in construction materials demonstrating similar structural properties to that of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) based concrete, yet whilst at the same time addressing the environmental footprint of the industry and economic concerns. GPC makes use of hazardous waste from several manufacturing process, which has obvious economic and environmental benefits. This allows GPC to have a far lower, in some cases up to 80%, embodied energy and carbon content than traditional concrete.
In terms of structural properties, GPC can have a characteristic compressive strength of up to 90MPa, depending on curing conditions and mix design. For example, 30 to 40MPa is indicative of strength attainable within 3 to 4 days of pouring, yet for OPC based concrete this is roughly 5 days. However, academics have also put forward curing conditions can have a significant impact on these figures, with some studies showing 90MPa achievable in as little as 6 hours (Gourley et al. 2011). In addition, GPC has a higher tensile strength which in some applications may make steel reinforcement obsolete. GPC properties such as low shrinkage and improved acid, sulphate and fire resistance, give it improved durability. This therefore makes GPC a viable replacement for project applications such as sewerage systems, corrosive environments and radioactive and hazardous material containment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary i
1 Introduction 1
2 Structural properties 2
2.1 Geopolymer concrete mix 2
2.2 Strength and Durability 3
2.3 Curing and workability 3
3 Need for geopolymer concrete 4
4 Applications 5
5 Environmental concerns 6
6 Conclusions: 9
7 References 11
Introduction
Concrete is the most
References: Gourley, J.T. & Johnson, G.B. (2005). Geoploymer, Green Chemistry and sustainable Development Solutions McLellan, BC, Williams, RP, Lay, J, Riessen, Av & Corder, GD 2011, 'Costs and Carbon Emissions for Geopolymer Pastes in Comparison to Ordinary Portland Cement ', Journal of Clearner Production, vol. 19, pp. 1080-90.