21. Production of lightweight alkali activated mortars using mineral woolsAhmad Alzaza, Mohammad Mastali, Paivo Kinnunen, Lidija Korat, Zahra Abdollahnejad, Vilma Ducman, Mirja Illikainen, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: This experimental study aimed to develop a fiber-reinforced lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortar. The lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortars were produced using premade foam and reinforced by polypropylene (PP) fibers. They were assessed in terms of fresh and hardened-state properties. Fresh-state properties were investigated by mini-slump tests. Hardened-state characteristics were assessed by ultrasonic pulse velocity, dry density, compressive and flexural strengths, drying shrinkage, efflorescence, water absorption, and permeable porosity. For the first time, the resistance of the synthesized lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortars against harsh conditions (carbonation, freeze and thaw, and high temperature) were evaluated. The porous structures of the developed lightweight alkali activated mortars were also analyzed using an X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) technique. Lightweight mix compositions with densities in a range of 770%1510 kg/m3, compressive strengths of 1%9 MPa, and flexural strengths of 2.6%8 MPa were developed. Increases in both density and strength after carbonation were also recorded, while a decrease of strength was noticed after exposure to freeze/thaw and high temperatures of up to 500 %C.
Keywords: alkali activation, mineral wool, mortars
Published in DiRROS: 24.10.2023; Views: 338; Downloads: 133
 Full text (10,47 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
22. Impacts of casting scales and harsh conditions on the thermal, acoustic, and mechanical properties of indoor acoustic panels made with fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag foam concretesMohammad Mastali, Paivo Kinnunen, Marjaana Karhu, Zahra Abdollahnejad, Lidija Korat, Vilma Ducman, Ahmad Alzaza, Mirja Illikainen, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents experimental results regarding the efficiency of using acoustic panels made with fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag foam concrete containing lightweight recycled aggregates produced by using Petrit-T (tunnel kiln slag). In the first stage, 72 acoustic panels with dimension 500 % 500 % 35 mm were cast and prepared. The mechanical properties of the panels were then assessed in terms of their compressive and flexural strengths. Moreover, the durability properties of acoustic panels were studied using harsh conditions (freeze/thaw and carbonation tests). The efficiency of the lightweight panels was also assessed in terms of thermal properties. In the second stage, 50 acoustic panels were used to cover the floor area in a reverberation room. The acoustic absorption in diffuse field conditions was measured, and the interrupted random noise source method was used to record the sound pressure decay rate over time. Moreover, the acoustic properties of the panels were separately assessed by impedance tubes and airflow resistivity measurements. The recorded results from these two sound absorption evaluations were compared. Additionally, a comparative study was presented on the results of impedance tube measurements to compare the influence of casting volumes (large and small scales) on the sound absorption of the acoustic panels. In the last stage, a comparative study was implemented to clarify the effects of harsh conditions on the sound absorption of the acoustic panels. The results showed that casting scale had great impacts on the mechanical and physical properties. Additionally, it was revealed that harsh conditions improved the sound properties of acoustic panels due to their effects on the porous structure of materials.
Keywords: alkali activation, slag, acoustic panels
Published in DiRROS: 15.09.2023; Views: 297; Downloads: 162
Full text (10,70 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
23. Potential of green ceramics waste for alkali activated foamsBarbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the paper is to research the influence of foaming and stabilization agents in the alkali activation process of waste green ceramics for future low cost up-cycling into lightweight porous thermal insulating material. Green waste ceramics, which is used in the present article, is a green body residue (non-successful intermediate-product) in the synthesis of technical ceramics for fuses. This residue was alkali activated with Na-water glass and NaOH in theoretically determined ratio based on data from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) that was set to maximise mechanical properties and to avoid efflorescence. Prepared mixtures were compared to alkali activated material prepared in theoretically less favourable ratios, and tested on the strength and density. Selected mixtures were further foamed with different foaming agents, that are Na-perborate (s), H2O2 (l), and Al (s), and supported by a stabilization agent, i.e., Na-dodecyl sulphate. The goal of the presented work was to prepare alkali activated foam based on green ceramics with density below 1 kg/l and compressive strength above 1 MPa.
Keywords: alkali activation, foaming, SEM, XRF, XRD, mechanical strength
Published in DiRROS: 14.09.2023; Views: 287; Downloads: 144
Full text (6,88 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
24. RILEM TC 247-DTA round robin test : mix design and reproducibility of compressive strength of alkaliactivated concretesJohn L. Provis, Kamel Arbi, Susana Bernal, Dali Bondar, Anja Buchwald, Arnaud Castel, Sundararaman Chithiraputhiran, Martin Cyr, Alireza Dehghan, Katja Dombrowski-Daube, Ashish Dubey, Vilma Ducman, Gregor J. G. Gluth, Sreejith Nanukuttan, Karl Peterson, Francisca Puertas, Arie van Riessen, Manuel Torres-Carrasco, Guang Ye, Yibing Zuo, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of RILEM TC 247-DTA Durability Testing of Alkali-Activated Materials is to identify and validate methodologies for testing the durability of alkali-activated concretes. To underpin the durability testing work of this committee, five alkali-activated concrete mixes were developed based on blast furnace slag, fly ash, and flash-calcined metakaolin. The concretes were designed with different intended performance levels, aiming to assess the capability of test methods to discriminate between concretes on this basis. A total of fifteen laboratories worldwide participated in this round robin test programme, where all concretes were produced with the same mix designs, from single-source aluminosilicate precursors and locally available aggregates. This paper reports the mix designs tested, and the compressive strength results obtained, including critical insight into reasons for the observed variability in strength within and between laboratories.
Keywords: alkali-activated materials (AAM), mechanical properties, test method, Rilem TC, durability
Published in DiRROS: 14.09.2023; Views: 244; Downloads: 144
Full text (431,19 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
25. Aggregates obtained by alkali activation of fly ash : the effect of granulation, pelletization methods and curing regimesOgnjen Lj. Rudić, Vilma Ducman, Mirjana Malešev, Vlastimir Radonjanin, Suzana Draganić, Slobodan Šupić, Miroslava Radeka, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents results regarding the phase composition, microstructure and textural properties of two types of aggregates, which were prepared via crushing or pelletization of alkali-activated Class F fly ash and cured under different conditions. The alkali activator was the same for aggregate products, containing an alkaline solution consisting of 8 M NaOH and Na-silicate (8 M NaOH/Na-silicate = 1:2.5 mass ratio). The aforementioned properties were influenced by two different preparation procedures combined with varying curing regimes (under normal conditions at 20 %C, RH 40%60% for 28 and 120 days and under an accelerated regime, at 65 %C for 5 days). Aggregates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), back scattered electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (BSE-EDS) analyses and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results showed noteworthy structural and textural diversities between the two types of aggregate. The method of preparation and curing regime affected the formation of the N-A-S-H structure and the texture of the alkali-activated fly ash product, with the crushing method giving an advantage
Keywords: alkali activation, agregat, FTIR
Published in DiRROS: 14.09.2023; Views: 242; Downloads: 141
Full text (5,27 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
26. The potential of ladle slag and electric arc furnace slag use in synthesizing alkali activated materials; the influence of curing on mechanical propertiesMark Češnovar, Katja Traven, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Alkali activation is studied as a potential technology to produce a group of high performance building materials from industrial residues such as metallurgical slag. Namely, slags containing aluminate and silicate form a useful solid material when activated by an alkaline solution. The alkali-activated (AA) slag-based materials are promising alternative products for civil engineering sector and industrial purposes. In the present study the locally available electric arc furnace steel slag (Slag A) and the ladle furnace basic slag (Slag R) from different metallurgical industries in Slovenia were selected for alkali activation because of promising amorphous Al/Si rich content. Different mixtures of selected precursors were prepared in the Slag A/Slag R ratios 1/0, 3/1, 1/1, 1/3 and 0/1 and further activated with potassium silicate using an activator to slag ratio of 1:2 in order to select the optimal composition with respect to their mechanical properties. Bending strength of investigated samples ranged between 4 and 18 MPa, whereas compressive strength varied between 30 and 60 MPa. The optimal mixture (Slag A/Slag R = 1/1) was further used to study strength development under the influence of different curing temperatures at room temperature (R. T.), and in a heat-chamber at 50, 70 and 90 °C, and the effects of curing time for 1, 3, 7 and 28 days was furthermore studied. The influence of curing time at room temperature on the mechanical strength at an early age was found to be nearly linear. Further, it was shown that specimens cured at 70 °C for 3 days attained almost identical (bending/compressive) strength to those cured at room temperature for 28 days. Additionally, microstructure evaluation of input materials and samples cured under different conditions was performed by means of XRD, FTIR, SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP).
Keywords: alkali activation, slag, influence of curing regime, FTIR
Published in DiRROS: 13.09.2023; Views: 269; Downloads: 153
Full text (10,76 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
27. Life cycle assessment of prefabricated geopolymeric façade cladding panels made from large fractions of recycled construction and demolition wasteDavor Kvočka, Anja Lešek, Friderik Knez, Vilma Ducman, Matteo Panizza, Constantinos Tsoutis, Adriana Bernardi, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The construction and demolition sector is one of the biggest consumers of natural resources in the world and consequently, one of the biggest waste producers worldwide. The proper management of construction and demolition waste (CDW) can provide major benefits for the construction and recycling industry. However, the recycling rate of CDW is relatively low, as there is still a lack of confidence in the quality of recycled CDW materials. Therefore, new research projects are looking for innovative solutions within recycling of CDW in order to overcome uncertainties currently associated with the use of construction products made from recycled or re-used CDW. In this paper, a “cradle-to-cradle” life cycle assessment (LCA) study has been conducted to investigate the environmental performance of the prefabricated geopolymeric façade cladding panels made from large fractions of CDW. The LCA results indicate that the majority of the environmental burden arises within the manufacturing stage; however, the environmental burden can be reduced with simple optimisation of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the prefabricated geopolymeric façade cladding panels is generally lower than the environmental burden associated with the façade cladding panels made from virgin materials.
Keywords: construction and demolition waste, alkali activated materials, geopolymers, LCA
Published in DiRROS: 24.08.2023; Views: 257; Downloads: 133
Full text (2,03 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
28. Characterization of fly ash alkali activated foams obtained using sodium perborate monohydrate as a foaming agent at room and elevated temperaturesLidija Korat, Vilma Ducman, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Alkali activated foams have been extensively studied in recent years, due to their high performance and low environmental footprint compared to foams produced via other methods. Three types of fly ash differing in chemical and mineralogical composition and specific surface were used to synthesize alkali activated foams. Sodium perborate monohydrate was added as a foaming agent and sodium dodecyl sulphate as a stabilizing agent. Foams were characterized at room temperature and after exposure to an elevated temperature (1,000 °C). Densities from 1.2 down to 0.3 g/cm 3 were obtained, depending on the type of fly ash and quantity of foaming agent added. Correspondingly, compressive strength ranged from 1 to 6 MPa. Comparing all three fly ashes the most favorable results, in terms of density and corresponding compressive strength, were achieved from the fly ash with the highest amounts of SiO 2 and Al2 O 3 , as well as the highest amorphous phase content i.e., RI fly ash. Furthermore, after firing to 1,000 °C, the density of samples prepared using fly ash RI remained approximately the same, while the compressive strength increased on average by 50%. In the other two types of fly ash the density increased slightly after firing, due to significant shrinkage, and compressive strength increased by as much as 800%. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the occurrence of a crystallization process after firing to 1,000 ° C, which resulted in newly formed crystal phases, including nepheline, sodalite, tridymite, and gehlenite.
Keywords: foamed alkali activated materials, geopolymers, properties, micro-CT
Published in DiRROS: 22.08.2023; Views: 261; Downloads: 179
Full text (7,94 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
29. Evaluation of locally available amorphous waste materials as a source for alternative alkali activatorsKatja Koenig, Katja Traven, Majda Pavlin, Vilma Ducman, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The production of alkali-activated materials with excellent mechanical performance requires the use of waterglass, which has a significant carbon footprint. Such materials can have a lower carbon footprint if we replace water glass with alternative activators sourced from waste. In this study, we assessed the suitability of locally available amorphous waste materials (stone wool, glass wool, bottle glass and cathode-ray tube glass) as a source for the preparation of alternative alkali activators. We quantified the amount of silicon and aluminium dissolved in the activator solutions via inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The alternative activators were then used to produce alkali-activated fly ash and slag. The compressive strength values of alkali-activated fly ash specimens upon the addition of NaOH, water glass and the most promising alternative activator were 38.98 MPa, 31.34 MPa and 40.37 MPa, respectively. The compressive strength of slag specimens activated with alternative activators with the highest concentration of dissolved silicon (21 g/L) was, however, 70% higher than the compressive strength of slag specimens activated with only 10 M sodium hydroxide. The compressive strength of slag specimens with the addition of the most promising alternative activator was significantly lower (3.5 MPa) than the compressive strength of those that had been activated by commercial water glass (34.3 MPa).
Keywords: alkalijsko aktivirani materiali, alternativni aktivatorji, lastnosti, alkali activated materials/geopolimers, alternative activators, properties
Published in DiRROS: 22.08.2023; Views: 243; Downloads: 160
Full text (6,02 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
30. Influence of particle size on compressive strength of alkali activated refractory materialsBarbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Influence of particle size on the mechanical strength of alkali activated material from waste refractory monolithic was investigated in this study. Precursor was chemically and mineralogically analysed, separated on 4 fractions and alkali activated with Na-water glass. Alkali activated materials were thoroughly investigated under SEM and XRD to evaluate the not predicted differences in mechanical strength. Influence of curing temperature and time dependence at curing temperatures on mechanical strength were investigated in the sample prepared from a fraction that caused the highest compressive strength.
Keywords: refractory materials, alkali activation, particle size, SEM, XRF, XRD, compressive strength
Published in DiRROS: 21.08.2023; Views: 359; Downloads: 253
Full text (13,36 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
