Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Building Materials for Green and Sustainable Development
Rosicky Methode Kalombe, Tunde V. Ojumu, Chuks Paul Eze, Sammy M. Nyale, John T. Kevern, Leslie Petrik
Abstract
This study reports on formulations and conditions for producing fly ash-based geopolymers with a view to showing that the compressive strength required for construction applications can be obtained without the addition of aggregates, sand, and/or cement. It was shown in a series of experiments constituting at least 73% fly ash that a compressive strength of up to 90 MPa can be obtained depending on the curing conditions. While high alkalinity resulted in stronger materials, the results showed about 40% savings in CO2 emissions without using sand and cement. Such materials are suited for construction applications with minimal environmental impact.