Impact/Purpose:

Alkali-activated cements (AACs) are competitive with ordinary portland cement (OPC) in performance and cost. However, their manufacture produces 95% less CO2, they have longer life and better durability, and they recycle millions of tons of industrial waste. The three specific aims of this project are as follows:

Aim 1: Continue to determine the relationships between chemical, microstructural, and performance properties of AACs This aim is central to solving the challenges facing AACs, and will be expanded to include cementitious/pozzolanic materials beyond the slag used thus far.

Aim 2: Develop commercially viable AACs using ASTM standard tests Specifically, we aim to pass the performance-based standard ASTM C1157. This aim is central to achieving widespread real-world use of the material as a portland cement alternative.

Aim 3: Develop low-cost AACs for use in India, especially slum development / relocation Using principles of Appropriate Design, AACs will be developed using local materials as a high-quality yet affordable building material for improved housing, especially for equitable slum development and/or relocation programs.

Description:

It is expected that this project will result in 1) production of technical paper(s) and presentations that better explains the relationships between chemical, microstructural, and performance properties of AACs, 2) commercially viable AAC formulae that pass the ASTM C1157 standard, and 3) proof of concept of low-cost yet high-quality AAC building materials for the greater Mumbai area, especially in support of slum development / relocation efforts.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:08/15/2010

Completion Date:08/14/2012

Record ID: 249238

Show Additional Record Data

Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :DREXEL UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :3141 Chestnut St

Citation :Philadelphia

State :PA

Zip Code :19104



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :800 Lancaster Ave

Citation :Villanova

State :PA

Zip Code :19085

Project Information:

Approach :

The aims will be accomplished using the following parallel approaches:

Aim 1 will be accomplished using various analytical techniques including microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and statistical design of experiment, along with ASTM standard performance tests. Specifically, we suggest focusing on the use of multiple iron blast furnace slags and Class C fly ash commercially available in the US and India.

For Aim 2, and involve testing of time of set, strength, and volumetric changes. Further tests will include autogenous shrinkage, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw, chlorine ponding, and full-scale prototyping. The focus will first be on compositions developed to date that are literally 5 minutes in set-time away from passing ASTM C1157.

Aim 3 will be accomplished in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IITB in Powai, Mumbai, India), as well as humanitarian organizations and an established cement manufacturer and a construction firm. Design inputs will be considered from all stakeholders, including end users.

Cost :$75,000.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Approach :

The aims will be accomplished using the following parallel approaches:

Aim 1 will be accomplished using various analytical techniques including microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and statistical design of experiment, along with ASTM standard performance tests. Specifically, we suggest focusing on the use of multiple iron blast furnace slags and Class C fly ash commercially available in the US and India.

For Aim 2, and involve testing of time of set, strength, and volumetric changes. Further tests will include autogenous shrinkage, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw, chlorine ponding, and full-scale prototyping. The focus will first be on compositions developed to date that are literally 5 minutes in set-time away from passing ASTM C1157.

Aim 3 will be accomplished in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IITB in Powai, Mumbai, India), as well as humanitarian organizations and an established cement manufacturer and a construction firm. Design inputs will be considered from all stakeholders, including end users.

Cost :$75,000.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Materials & Chemistry

Approach :

The aims will be accomplished using the following parallel approaches:

Aim 1 will be accomplished using various analytical techniques including microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and statistical design of experiment, along with ASTM standard performance tests. Specifically, we suggest focusing on the use of multiple iron blast furnace slags and Class C fly ash commercially available in the US and India.

For Aim 2, and involve testing of time of set, strength, and volumetric changes. Further tests will include autogenous shrinkage, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw, chlorine ponding, and full-scale prototyping. The focus will first be on compositions developed to date that are literally 5 minutes in set-time away from passing ASTM C1157.

Aim 3 will be accomplished in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IITB in Powai, Mumbai, India), as well as humanitarian organizations and an established cement manufacturer and a construction firm. Design inputs will be considered from all stakeholders, including end users.

Cost :$75,000.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Built Environment

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU834759

Project type :EPA Grant