Setting behavior and mechanical properties of concrete rubble fly ash geopolymers

Due to concerns about the very high primary raw material consumption and CO2 emissions of the economically important construction sector, the demand for “green” binders is growing. One option that is receiving particular attention is the material class of “geopolymers”, which could be used as a substitute for Portland cement. This new group of binders not only exhibits improved mechanical properties, but is also characterized by particularly low carbon dioxide emissions in the course of its production. This work focuses on the influence of concrete rubble on the setting behavior and microstructural properties of fly ash-based geopolymers. In the course of the investigations, the manufactured geopolymer samples are examined for the material parameters relevant to building materials, namely compressive strength, raw density and thermal conductivity. The setting behavior and the forming structures are investigated by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The present work is intended to contribute to the development of a suitable recycling strategy for the material recycling of concrete rubble in novel substitute construction materials, the geopolymers.