Study on Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Concrete Developed using Bio Cementation Process

Abstract

The second-most-used material worldwide is concrete. The production of cement is responsible for 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. For every kilogram of cement produced, 0.9 kilograms of carbon dioxide are released. OPC use is growing, which has negative repercussions like global warming that have an impact on the environment. We require an eco-binder that can replace OPC in concrete either completely or partially in order to considerably reduce CO2 emissions from the cement industry. An environmentally sustainable approach to reducing carbon emissions from the construction industry is alkali-activated materials. It involves the reaction of industrial wastes like fly ash and GGBS, which are rich in aluminosilicates, with alkali activators like NaOH and Na2SiO3, forming a binding material called alkali-activated concrete. There is a wealth of information on the effectiveness of alkali-activated concrete. The behaviour of such alkali-activated concrete made by bio-cementation is the topic of the current investigation. The process involves the specific action of urease-producing bacteria, which results in calcium carbonate buildup and enhances the mechanical characteristics of cementitious materials. The focus of the current investigation was on the mechanical characteristics of GGBS and fly ash-based alkali-activated concretes using the activators NaOH and Na2SiO3 made with the bio-cementation technique.