Studies on Lime Pozzolana Cement Based Geopolymer Binders And Blocks

Abstract

newline The quest for alternative binding materials in construction has been an ongoing process, ever since the first application of lime, one of the oldest cementitious materials. With advent of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), direct use of lime has significantly declined. The cement industry has grown steadily to cater to the need for high strength and high performance sought for by modern construction industry. On the other hand, of late, serious concern has been raised regarding excessive production and sub-optimal usage of OPC in the backdrop of environmental issues (energy and emission). This has led to renewed pursuit seeking alternatives to OPC. The present research finds its genesis in this backdrop, looking at possible ways of development of alternative binders. The focus has been end-application of such products. One such application is the use of alternate lime-based binders, especially in masonry applications, which seldom require the high strength rendered by conventional cement. Indeed, lime pozzolana cement (LPC) is one such binder that is ideally suited for masonry construction. This thesis relooks at lime-based binders as possible alternatives. newlineAnother issue of concern in the current context is effective bulk utilization of industrial by-products as possible value-added additives with relatively low-strength, lime-based products. Some good pozzolanic materials are flyash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), ultrafine slag, etc. The present research attempts to exploit them in variety of combinations along with geopolymer (GP) approach. Broadly, this research is focused towards trying to understand and develop a variety of lime-pozzolana-geopolymer-industrial by-product-based masonry mortars and units. These masonry units and mortars have tested for their strength and elastic properties. The other aspect kept in mind was the ease of production and application. newline newline