Geopolymer Aggregate Concrete: A review from fundamentals to developments

Abstract

Aggregates hold almost three-fourths volume of concrete. The tremendous increase in the growth rate of constructions has further accelerated the demand of aggregates. The utilization of aggregates to satisfy the demand has led to the inadequacy of aggregates. A unique method of developing non-conventional aggregates as a substitute of conventional coarse aggregates can be the justification of the issue. Meanwhile, considerable amount of fly ash produced from thermal power plants is disposed in landfills and ponds, creating hazard to the nature. Researchers have focused in utilizing fly ash to produce aggregates through the process of pelletization. Geopolymerization parameters such as Na2O content, slope and speed of disc pelletizer influence the properties of fly ash based pelletized aggregates. The compressive strength of geopolymer aggregate concrete depicted a higher value than concrete with conventional aggregates. The objective of this paper is to present the factors affecting the production of geopolymer aggregate concrete and the properties of these novel aggregate concrete.