Alkali-activated concrete systems: A state of art

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most extensively used construction materials in the world. Production of ordinary Portland cement, the major constituent in the production of concrete, is leading to large-scale exploitation of the natural reserves of limestones, clays, and coal. It is estimated that there is a release of 0.8-1.0 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere for the production of every ton of cement. In view of this, alternative construction materials are being developed, using industrial by-products such as fly-ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and metakaolin, which are generally rich in alumina and silica. The development of alkali-activated concrete systems has attracted the attention of concrete researchers in recent years. This chapter discusses the performance of alkali-activated concrete systems with different binders and alternate aggregates, in terms of their mechanical properties, durability, performance on exposure to elevated temperatures, performance on inclusion of fibers, and finally their suitability for use in structural members. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.