The aim of this work was to develop an alkali activated matrix based mainly on fly ash, to determine the ability to fix lead in these matrices, the impact of added lead on mechanical properties and to reveal the way of lead fixation in these matrices. The matrices consisted mainly of fly ash (four from fluidized bed combustion, one pulverized coal combustion) with an admixture of blast furnace slag and sodium silicate as an activator. Lechates were prepared on the basis of the ČSN EN - 12457-4 standard, lead concentrations in them were measured using an atomic emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma. The strengths of the samples were measured after 28 days. Images, element maps and element spectra were taken to determine the structure using a scanning electron microscope with an electron dispersion spectrometer, the samples were analyzed on an infrared spectrometer with a Furier transform, X-ray diffraction analysis and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis were also used. The individual measurements showed that lead is accumulated in the form of hydroxide. The impact of lead doping on strength of the matrix was different for individual samples. Matrices from both types of fly ash released minimal amounts of lead into leachates, so it is possible to use them to fixate lead.

Over the last decades, numerous techniques have been proposed worldwide to assess the actual damage of critical concrete infrastructure. A method that has progressively been used in North America is a novel microscopic tool, the Damage Rating Index (DRI). This semi-quantitative petrographic tool was developed to reliably appraise both the nature and degree of damage in concrete affected by alkali-silica reaction (ASR), which may threaten the serviceability and the durability of concrete infrastructure around the world. Performing the DRI consists of counting numerous distress features (i.e. closed and open cracks in the aggregate and cement paste) encountered on the surface of polished concrete sections (lab-made specimens or cores extracted from field structures) using a stereomicroscope at 16x magnification; once recognized and counted, the distinct distress features are multiplied by weighting factors whose purpose is to balance their relative importance towards the distress mechanism under consideration (e.g., ASR). Although reliable and efficient, performing the DRI is exceptionally time-consuming, and its results are highly operator sensitive, requiring an experienced petrographer. Therefore, this study proposes using artificial intelligence (AI) through machine learning (ML) techniques to automate the DRI test protocol estimating the damage degree of concrete affected by ASR. The ML subfield known as Deep Learning (DL) was implemented to create human-like intelligence connections using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm, which can predict the DRI results (machine assessment) that are close to those expected (human assessment. This research is divided into two phases: 1) performing cracks recognition using sliding windows and 2) an advanced pixel recognition. In the first phase, the results displayed some inconsistencies in cracks classification; yet, for cracks identification in the cement paste, in particular, this method presented promising results. However, the advanced pixel recognition improved the drawbacks of the first phase, providing a more accurate cracks recognition and classification. The DRI number estimation was subsequently implemented into the CNN model achieving a 74.4% accuracy. Hence, the DRI automation is a revolutionary step towards a more ubiquitous use of the method since less time is required to perform the task, besides avoiding variability among petrographers and enabling non/less experienced professionals to take advantage of this powerful microscopic tool. With a more widely accessible diagnostic tool, ASR-affected critical concrete infrastructure could be more efficiently assessed, which would ultimately increase their safety.

Preparation of geopolymers with main components of slug and metakaolin. After being alcali activated the raw materials are complemented by superplasticizers of different kind and concentracion.

Evaluation of physical and chemical properties of geopolymer composites based on alkali aktivated metakaoline and silicate oxide.

This thesis deals with preparation of geopolymeric binders for inhibition of toxic elements, especially arsenic. It studies influence of content progress of different phases in prepared binders on leachability of As during the setting. The aim of this study is to determine the type of inhibition or the cause of leachability of As in prepared binders respectively. Fly ash from high-temperature coal combustion, slag, cement kiln dust and sodium hydroxide solution were used for experimental works. FT-IR, TG-DTA, XRD analyses after different hydration times were used. The leachates were analyzed by ICP-MS. Calorimetric measurements of tested mixtures fresh pastes were implemented to learn about setting process. Hardened binder specimens were tested for bending and compressive strength.

Alkali activated binders have the potential to become an alternative construction material to ordinary portland cement binders. This thesis concentrates on durability testing of alkali activated blast furnace slag and fly ash based concrete. The chosen aspects of durability included sulfate resistance, acid resistance, carbonation, freeze-thaw resistance, frost-salt resistance and porosity. Microstructural changes and formation of new crystalline phases were observed using XRD and SEM-EDX analysis. Potential application of the tested material from the durability point of view was evaluated by comparison with a reference ordinary portland cement based concrete.

This master thesis is concerns the preparation of Alkali Activated Materials, specifically Alkali Activated Slag (AAS), with the addition of fiber reinforcement. Alkali Activated Materials have great potential for use in construction practice. However, their use is limited by certain undesirable properties, which can be diminished by adding fiber reinforcement. This thesis deals with the influence of carbon fibers (2 % by weight of the binder) and carbon nanotubes (0,2 % by weigh of the binder) on the mechanical properties, microstructure and shrinkage of AAS. The results of the experiments which were carried out correspond with the literary research. Conclusions of this thesis agree with research published in original scientific papers.

Portland cement-based products are the most commonly used building materials. However, it is well known that the production of OPC not only consumes a significant amount of natural resources and energy but also releases high quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. Purpose of this work is to develop new cementitious material similar to Portland cement-based concrete, which is convenient in terms of energy and is environmental-friendly at once. This work presents preparation, composition and properties of inorganic aluminosilicate polymer, called geopolymer, synthesized from blast furnace slag and fly ash, activated by sodium hydroxide and cement kiln dust. Study of the microstructure was based on SEM-EDX-WDX, TG-DTA-EGA and XRD analysis.

Thesis deals with study of separators and membranes, suitable for using in alkali electrochemical applications like fuel cells or electrolysis. As basic material for membranes production is used polyvinylalkohol (PVA). Various methods of PVA cross linking are introduced in the thesis. PVA membranes are also doped by various types of additives to improve the attributes of the membranes like mechanical stability and or conductivity. The aim of the work is verification of parameters of membranes, doped by alkali hydroxides KOH, NaOH and LiOH at various temperatures. These hydroxides are added to the membrane especially for increasing of membrane conductivity.

The carbonation of the building materials based on the ordinary Portland cement is relatively well-known and extensively studied phenomenon. Conversely mechanism, reaction products and factors affecting the carbonation of the alkali activated materials are still not sufficiently clarified. In this work, the progression of the carbonation of the alkali activated materials under different conditions was investigated. The reaction products and the microstructural changes were determined by XRD respectively SEM-EDX analysis. The corrosive conditions due to the decreasing of the pH of the binders by the carbonation were observed by XPS analysis of the steel fibers. The carbonation of the alkali activated samples was compared with the reference samples based on the Portland composite cement. Besides these analyzes, the mechanical properties of the binders were monitored.