Fly Ash-based Geopolymer Mud Concrete Block

Chameera Udawattha1, Akmeemana Lakmini1, Rangika Halwathura1

  • 1University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Details

11:15 - 11:30 | Thu 31 May | CCLR3 | T.2.1-2

Session: Civil and Environmental Engineering IV

Abstract

Fly ash is a byproduct of cement production. Also, in the thermal power plant, the high production of fly ash due to the combustion of coal causes several environmental problems such as water pollution, air pollution, etc. Therefore, the use of fly ash as a stabilizer for the construction of mud concrete will reduce these problems. The idea of building mud concrete blocks is to convert stable natural soil into an engineered block. According to previous research, mixing fly ash alone does not generate a significant strength gain. For a loaded construction, the minimum dry compressive strength must be greater than 2 Nmm2 and the wet compressive strength must be greater than 1 Nmm2. This investigation is carried out to evaluate the alkaline activation of the fly ash to stabilize the soil and build geopolymer self-compacting mud concrete blocks. Alkaline activation of fly ash to build geopolymer is not a novel concept. but employing the idea in self-compacting mud concrete is new study. Initially, it was found that the optimum content of fly ash stabilized the soil and then the experiment was carried out with an alkaline activator to develop an alkaline stabilized mud block. It was found that NaOH and NaCl can increase the pH content of the mixture and increase the resistance to the required level. Ultimately, warming can develop a much better mix than concrete block stabilized with cement.