Alkali-activated blend of calcined lateritic soil and waste marble slurry

Author(s): Luca Valentini, Ludovico Mascarin, Enrico Garbin, Maria Chiara Dalconi
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: SynerCrete’18: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Cement-based Materials and Structural Concrete: Synergizing Expertise and Bridging Scales of Space and Time Vol. 1 & 2
Editor(s): Miguel Azenha, Dirk Schlicke, Farid Benboudjema, Agnieszka Jędrzejewska
ISBN: 978-2-35158-202-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-203-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: 395-399
Total Pages: 5
Language : English

Abstract: This contribution illustrates some preliminary results of a project focussed on the use of alkali-activated materials obtained from clays of different mineralogical composition, sampled in different localities in non-commercially exploited outcrops. Tests performed by alkali activation (using sodium silicate with added sodium citrate) of a calcined clay, consisting of 66% smectite, 22% volcanic glass and accessory phases gave encouraging results, showing that alkali activated materials with excellent mechanical properties can be produced from cheap, widely distributed raw materials, without previous beneficiation. The results also showed that both mechanical properties and workability could be enhanced by the use of marble slurry, a waste material from marble quarrying and cutting, which adds environmental value to the designed mix.
Here, we focus on the use of lateritic soils sampled in Yaoundé, Cameroon, as a raw material for the production of alkali-activated binders. This choice is motivated by the need of investigating the feasibility of producing robust, low-CO2 cements from raw materials that are widely available across Africa, with the aim of boosting the sustainable development of this continent, in line with recent actions for the collaboration between African Union and European Union.
Some preliminary results of the microstructural and mechanical characterization of these materials as well as their kinetic and thermodynamic modelling will be illustrated.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00