Abstract
This work aims to study the possibility of using alkaline activated fly ash in structural members. The work, of an experimental nature, focuses on the evaluation of the behavior of simply supported beams under two symmetrical loads (four-point tests). For such study, 10 beams were built, of which, five using fly ash and the remaining five using traditional Portland cement. The test results are compared. Conclusions on the practical application of fly ash in structures were explained and, as mention later in this document, there is room for improvement. This is one of very few works on fly ash alkali activated structures and further studies are necessary in the future. Some aspects, such as shrinkage and deformability are presented as some of the negative points concerning the potential use of fly ash. These are two aspects that need more attention in future investigations.
Highlights
The cement industry is under increasing pressure from public opinion due to its contribution to CO2 emissions
Various research works on alternative materials to Ordinary Portland Concrete (OPC) have been published in the last three decades, but OPC continues to dominate the market at present
The target limits for CO2 emissions might alter the competitive advantage of OPC and surely increases the demand for research on alternative materials
Summary
The cement industry is under increasing pressure from public opinion due to its contribution to CO2 emissions. To bring the cement sector in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, its annual emissions will need to fall by at least 16 per cent by 2030 [1]. The awareness of the high level of CO2 emissions is not new, but only recent international agreements and measures really forced the cement industry to intensify the search for new alternative production technologies and materials. Non-cementitious materials must be considered as an alternative route of the entire road map to low emission construction production. The target limits for CO2 emissions might alter the competitive advantage of OPC and surely increases the demand for research on alternative materials
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