Fly ash-based geopolymer mud concrete block

Abstract

The high production of fly ash due to the combustion of coal causes several environmental problems such as water pollution, air pollution, etc. Therefore, the use of fly ash as a stabilizer for the construction of mud concrete will reduce these problems. The idea of building mud concrete blocks is to convert stable natural soil into an engineered block. Mixing fly ash alone did not generate a significant strength. For a loaded construction, the minimum dry compressive strength must be greater than 2N/mm2 and the wet compressive strength must be greater than 1N/mm2. This investigation is carried out to evaluate the alkaline activation of the fly ash to stabilize the soil and build geopolymer self-compacting mud concrete blocks. Alkaline activation of fly ash to build geopolymer is not a novel concept. But employing the idea in self-compacting mud concrete is new study. Initially, it was found that the optimum content of fly ash stabilized the soil. It was found that NaOH and NaCl can increase the pH content of the mixture and increase the resistance to the required level. Ultimately, heating can develop a much better mix than cement stabilized mud concrete mix.