Open Access

D. W. Law, Patrick Sturm, Gregor Gluth, C. Gunasekara, M. T. Yamchelou

• Portland cement is one of the principal sources of anthropomorphic CO2 emissions. It is estimated that cement production contributes up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and annual cement production over 4 billion tons. This has led to the development of a range of alkali activated materials (AAM), the most common precursor materials being class F fly ash and blast furnace slag. At present Class C Fly Ash is not widely utilized as an AAM due to the chemical composition and activation requirements. However, initial research on high Calcium German Class C Fly Ash suggests that the material may have potential for application as an AAM. This paper reports the development of ambient cured alkali activated mortar optimised by varying the alkali modulus and w/b ratio. The evolution of the mechanical and microstructural properties is reported over the initial 28 day period. Compressive strength in excess of 10 MPa at 7 days and 15 MPa at 28 days was achieved at ambient temperature. SimilarPortland cement is one of the principal sources of anthropomorphic CO2 emissions. It is estimated that cement production contributes up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and annual cement production over 4 billion tons. This has led to the development of a range of alkali activated materials (AAM), the most common precursor materials being class F fly ash and blast furnace slag. At present Class C Fly Ash is not widely utilized as an AAM due to the chemical composition and activation requirements. However, initial research on high Calcium German Class C Fly Ash suggests that the material may have potential for application as an AAM. This paper reports the development of ambient cured alkali activated mortar optimised by varying the alkali modulus and w/b ratio. The evolution of the mechanical and microstructural properties is reported over the initial 28 day period. Compressive strength in excess of 10 MPa at 7 days and 15 MPa at 28 days was achieved at ambient temperature. Similar strengths were observed for both 10% and 15% dosage but as dosage increases the optimal Alkali Modulus reduces.…