Characterization and development of alccofine based sustainable concrete – A review

Abstract

The accelerated rate of industrialization and urbanization in recent decades is producing enormous quantities of waste globally. The per day per capita solid waste of 0.79 kg totalling 2.24 billion tons all over the world in 2020, is estimated to augment by 73% to 3.88 billion tons per annum by 2050. Presently in India, approximately 1 billion ton of solid waste per annum is generated during various processes. On the other hand, high global demand for construction materials (approx. 10 billion tons per annum) is depleting natural resources and disturbing the eco-system. As a result, researchers are switching over from traditional materials to alternative innovative materials by reprocessing diverse wastes and byproducts protecting the environment. Due to this, it has gained popularity and momentum in the production of sustainable concrete by partially replacing or adding Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) to the conventional binder. The purpose of this work is to review and discuss the mechanical and durability characteristics of alccofine based concrete significantly. Additionally, it aims to provide a better understanding about the mechanism of alccofine-1203 as an SCM in concrete. Due to distinctive chemical composition and ultrafine particles, alccofine-1203 improved pozzolanic reaction, increased pace of hydration process, reduced heat of hydration, reduced permeability to concrete, and reduced segregation and bleeding to produce high strength to concrete at the early curing stages. Considering this, alccofine can be utilized as an SCM due to its ultrafine nature and high concentrations of calcium oxide (CaO) and silica (SiO2), which are advantageous in improving the mechanical and durability qualities of concrete in comparison to other SCMs. A process to use alccofine as a replacement must be developed to produce sustainable concrete. Literature analysis suggests the ideal dosage of alccofine-1203 between 8 and 12% which significantly improved the mechanical and durability qualities of concrete.