Experimental study on fly ash based geopolymer concrete with ferrochrome slag aggregates

Abstract

The concrete stands next to the water in its utilization. Cementproduction contributes to 8% of the world s CO2 emission that has been recognised as a major cause of global warming. The recent annual report of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) found that Green House Gas (GHG) emissions have risen 1.5% per year over the last decade, reaching an all-time high of 55.3 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. The report has warned that the world is heading for average temperature rise by 3.2 and#8451; by 2100. This would bring out more disastrous consequences of climate change resulting in warming of oceans, rise in sea levels etc., to name a few. Hence, Geopolymer, that has been developed as an alternative binder to Portland cement is gaining prominence in the present era when compared with Conventional Cement Concrete as it reduces the CO2 emission along with enhanced strength and durability properties.This research work attempts for a total sustainable development with Geopolymer concrete along with the maximum utilization of industrial by-products namely Fly Ash, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and Ferrochrome slag. This research also aims at the thermal performance characteristics of Geopolymer concrete under elevated temperature. Good Thermal Performance at elevated temperature will find the Geopolymer concrete in applications like cooling towers of nuclear reactors, thermal power plants, a catastrophe like fire accidents.Though the by-products such as Fly Ash and GGBS are quitepopular, the Ferrochrome slag, a by-product of Ferrochromium industries, isalso generated in large quantities. Most of the Ferrochrome industries areconcentrated in the northern part of our country and its efficient utilisation and disposal is a serious issue to the ferrochrome producers. newline