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Geopolymers, a class of largely X-ray amorphous aluminosilicate binder materials, have been studied extensively over the past several decades, but largely from an empirical standpoint. The primary aim of this investigation has been to apply a more science-based approach to the study of geopolymers, including introducing a variety of mathematical modelling techniques to the field. The nanostructure of geopolymers is analysed via an extensive literature review, and conclusions regarding the presence and role of crystallinity within the geopolymer structure are drawn. Si/Al ordering within the tetrahedral aluminosilicate gel framework is described by a statistical thermodynamic model, which provides an accurate representation of the distribution of Si and Al sites within the framework as well as physically reasonable values for the energy penalty associated with ordering violation. Framework and extraframework structure within the geopolymer binder are also described by the pair distribution function (PDF) technique, whereby synchrotron X-ray scattering data are converted via a Fourier transform-based method into real-space structural data on an Ångstrom length scale. Real-space Rietveld analysis of geopolymers crystallised at high temperature is used to back-calculate and analyse the original geopolymer structure, and the primary change in very short-range structure from the as-synthesised geopolymer to the high-temperature crystalline product is observed to be a shift in the location of the extraframework charge-balancing cation.

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE’s) “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” estimated that “32% of America’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.” An estimated $100 billion dollars are needed to maintain that condition, and an additional $79 billion is needed to improve the quality of American roadways to an acceptable level. In many regions around the US, the service lives of concrete pavements are limited by the damage caused by freezing and thawing of pore solution inside the pavements. Alkali-activated slags (AAS) are produced from ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), a byproduct of iron production, and exhibit cementitious properties. AAS concretes have been shown to have improved corrosion and freeze/thaw resistance compared to traditional cementbased concretes. A Guarded Longitudinal Comparative Calorimeter (GLCC) was used to determine when the freezing and thawing of internal water occurs in three AAS mortars using solutions of NaOH, Na2CO3, or waterglass compared to a control Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) mortar. AAS mortars using NaOH and Na2CO3 showed comparable thermal properties to the OPC mortar using the GLCC, and the AAS mortar using waterglass was shown to have higher heat capacity compared to the other AAS mixes. The compressive strengths varied by the alkaline solution used, with AAS with Na2CO3 showing inferior compressive strength to OPC, AAS with NaOH showing similar compressive strength to OPC, and AAS with waterglass showing superior compressive strength to OPC, but poor workability. A computer model of the GLCC testing procedure was created and showed good agreement with the experimental data. The GLCC model can be modified to approximate the results of the GLCC using a wider range of materials and internal solutions, like PCMs.

No description available.

O uso de escória de alto forno como aglomerante alternativo ao cimento portland tem sido objeto de vários estudos no Brasil e no exterior. Além de representar vantagens ao meio ambiente por ser um resíduo, a escória apresenta boas possibilidades de emprego, principalmente pelo baixo custo e por suas vantagens técnicas das quais se destacam a elevada resistência mecânica, a boa durabilidade em meios agressivos, o baixo calor de hidratação. No entanto, o emprego deste material carece de estudos detalhados da retração, muito superior à do cimento portland. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a cinética das retrações autógena e por secagem não restringidas do cimento de escória ativada em função, principalmente, do tipo e teor de ativadores empregados. Para a retração autógena, o corpo-de-prova foi selado com papel alumínio protegido internamente com plástico. As medidas estenderam-se de 6 horas até 112 dias. O fenômeno da retração também foi analisado com base nos resultados dos ensaios de porosimetria, calorimetria, termogravimetria e difração de raios X. Foram empregados como ativadores: silicato de sódio, cal hidratada + gipsita, cal hidratada e hidróxido de sódio. Como referência foi adotado o cimento portland da alta resistência inicial CPV-ARI. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a ativação da escória com silicato de sódio apresentou retração por secagem e autógena superior à apresentada pelos demais ativadores e pelo cimento portland. A maior parte dessa retração medida ocorre até os 7 dias. A retração por secagem ocorre em dois estágios: o primeiro logo após a desmoldagem e o segundo a partir do início da formação dos produtos hidratados. O início da retração autógena coincide com o segundo estágio da retração por secagem. Com base nos ensaios de microestrutura, são determinantes para a elevada retração do cimento de escória ativada com silicato de sódio: a baixa porosidade, caracterizada pela predominância quase total de mesoporos; o elevado grau de hidratação e natureza dos produtos hidratados, com predominância quase total de silicato cálcio hidratado (C-S-H). Na ativação com cal e com cal mais gipsita, a composição diferente dos produtos hidratados (baixa formação de C-S-H e presença significativa de fases aluminato e sulfoluminato, respectivamente) altera a porosidade e a retração, principalmente a autógena que apresenta valores inferiores à do cimento portland. A ativação com hidróxido sódio é caracterizada pela elevada retração autógena e baixa formação de C-S-H, com presença significativa de fases aluminato. / The use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) as an alternative binder to portland cement has been the subject of numerous studies in Brazil and other countries. Because BFS is a residue, its use benefits the environment. Furthermore, BFS cement is less costly and shows technical advantages if compared with normal portland cement, namely the higher strength, good durability in aggressive environments, and low heat of hydration. On the other hand, the high shrinkage of BSF cement is often indicated as one of the major limiting aspects for its use. The objective of this research was to study the development of unrestrained autogenous and drying shrinkage of BSF cement as function, mainly, of the chemical activator types and dosages. Autogenous shrinkage was measured in fully aluminum foil and plastic sheet wrapped specimens. Measurements were taken from 6 hours up to 112 days. Shrinkage was also analyzed in conjunction with mercury posorimetry, conduction calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction tests. Activators used were sodium silicate, hydrated lime + gypsite, hydrated lime and sodium hydroxide. High early strength portland cement was used as reference. The results showed that autogenous and drying shrinkage were larger when BFS was activated with sodium silicate. Most of the shrinkage occurs before 7 days of hydration. Drying shrinkage occurs in two phases: the first phase immediately after demolding, and the second phase concurrently with the formation of the hydrated products. Autogenous shrinkage coincides with the second phase of the drying shrinkage. Based on microstructure analysis, determining factors could be identified that respond for the high shrinkage of sodium silicate activated BFS cement: low porosity, mostly mesopores; high degree of hydration and chemical nature of the hydrated products, essentially calcium silicate hydrate - C-S-H. Activation with hydrated lime and hydrated lime plus dehydrated calcium results low amounts of C-S-H and significant quantities of aluminate and sulphoaluminate phases, respectively. Porosity and shrinkage, mainly autogenous, are lower than that verified for portland cement mixtures. Activation with sodium hydroxide causes high autogenous shrinkage, small amounts of C-S-H and significant quantities of aluminate phases.

Orientador: José Luiz Pinheiro Melges / Resumo: Atualmente, é vasta a quantidade de materiais estudados com potencial de substituir o cimento Portland em matrizes cimentícias, uma vez que a produção do mesmo é responsável pela emissão de grande quantidade de CO2, o que contribui drasticamente para o efeito estufa. Nesse contexto, os aglomerantes ativados alcalinamente são materiais que prometem qualidades similares ou superiores àqueles à base de cimento, porém produzidos com elementos menos agressivos ao meio ambiente. Neste trabalho, é realizado o estudo da aplicação de Cinza da Casca de Arroz (CCA) com Hidróxido de Sódio (NaOH) na produção de solução alcalina, para ativação do metacaulim, material este que já possui resultados positivos quando ativado com silicato de sódio, e outros ativadores obtidos comercialmente. A solução de CCA-NaOH é utilizada como substituta do silicato de sódio comercial, uma vez que, além de utilizar um resíduo em sua produção, dando a ele uma destinação adequada, observa-se uma significativa economia de energia, já que a produção de silicato de sódio demanda uma grande quantidade de energia para sua obtenção. Para que a solução de CCA-NaOH apresente potencial de ativar o metacaulim, é necessário manter tais materiais, por 24h em meio térmico, para que ocorra a dissolução da sílica do CCA. Utilizando-se a composição CCA-NaOH, foram elaborados 5 traços de argamassa com relações molares SiO2/NaOH iguais a 0.0; 0.4; 0.8; 1.2 e 1.6. Também foram elaborados outros 5 traços com as mesmas relações mo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Nowadays, the amount of studied materials with the potential to replace Portland cement in cementitious matrices is extensive, since its production is responsible for the emission of a large amount of CO2, which contributes drastically to the greenhouse effect. In this context, alkali-activated binders are materials that promise qualities similar or superior to those based on cement, but produced with elements that are less aggressive to the environment. In this work, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are used to produce an alkaline solution for the activation of metakaolin, which has already positive results when activated with sodium silicate or others commercially available activators. The RHA-NaOH solution is used as a substitute for commercial sodium silicate, once in addition to use a residue in its production, giving it an adequate disposal, it works with the fact of saving energy, since the production of silicate of sodium consumes a large amount of energy for its obtainment. In order for the RHA-NaOH solution to have the potential to activate metakaolin, it is necessary to keep such materials for 24 hours in a thermal container in order to dissolve the silica from the CCA. Using the RHA-NaOH solution, 5 mixtures of mortar were prepared with SiO2 / NaOH molar ratios equal to 0.0; 0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6. Another 5 mixtures were prepared with the same molar ratios, but this time using commercial sodium silicate for comparison purposes. It was observed the ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

abstract: Sustainable materials and methods have achieved a pivotal role in the research plethora of the new age due to global warming. Cement production is responsible in contributing to 5% of global CO2 emissions. Complete replacement of cement by alkaline activation of aluminosilicate waste materials such as slag and fly ash is a major advancement towards reducing the adverse impacts of cement production. Comprehensive research has been done, to understand the optimized composition and hydration products. The focus of this dissertation is to understand the multiscale behavior ranging from early age properties, fundamental material structure, fracture and crack resistance properties, durability responses and alternative activation methods to existing process. The utilization of these materials has relied primarily on the dual benefits of reduced presence in landfills and cost. These have also proven to yield a higher service life as opposed to conventional ordinary portland cement (OPC) concrete due to an enhanced microstructure. The use of such materials however has not been readily acceptable due to detrimental early age behavior. The influence of design factors is studied to understand the reaction mechanism. Silicon polymerization at the molecular level is studied to understand the aluminosilicate interactions which are responsible for prevention of any leaching of ions. A comparative study between fly ash and slag binders is carried out to evaluate the stable states of sodium, aluminum and silicon in both these binders, since the likelihood of the sodium ions leaching out is high. Compressive and flexural strength have been reported in previous literature, but the impact of crack resistance was unevaluated from an approach of characterizing the fracture process zone. Alternative routes of activation are explored with an intent to reduce the high alkalinity by use of neutral salts such as sodium sulfate. High volume OPC replacement by both class C and F fly ash is performed to evaluate the differences in hydration phase formation responsible for its pore refinement and strength. Spectroscopic studies have also allowed to study the fundamental material structure. Durability studies are also performed on these samples to understand the probability external sulfate attacks as opposed to OPC mixes. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Engineering 2016

O uso de escória de alto forno como aglomerante alternativo ao cimento portland tem sido objeto de vários estudos no Brasil e no exterior. Além de representar vantagens ao meio ambiente por ser um resíduo, a escória apresenta boas possibilidades de emprego, principalmente pelo baixo custo e por suas vantagens técnicas das quais se destacam a elevada resistência mecânica, a boa durabilidade em meios agressivos, o baixo calor de hidratação. No entanto, o emprego deste material carece de estudos detalhados da retração, muito superior à do cimento portland. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a cinética das retrações autógena e por secagem não restringidas do cimento de escória ativada em função, principalmente, do tipo e teor de ativadores empregados. Para a retração autógena, o corpo-de-prova foi selado com papel alumínio protegido internamente com plástico. As medidas estenderam-se de 6 horas até 112 dias. O fenômeno da retração também foi analisado com base nos resultados dos ensaios de porosimetria, calorimetria, termogravimetria e difração de raios X. Foram empregados como ativadores: silicato de sódio, cal hidratada + gipsita, cal hidratada e hidróxido de sódio. Como referência foi adotado o cimento portland da alta resistência inicial CPV-ARI. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a ativação da escória com silicato de sódio apresentou retração por secagem e autógena superior à apresentada pelos demais ativadores e pelo cimento portland. A maior parte dessa retração medida ocorre até os 7 dias. A retração por secagem ocorre em dois estágios: o primeiro logo após a desmoldagem e o segundo a partir do início da formação dos produtos hidratados. O início da retração autógena coincide com o segundo estágio da retração por secagem. Com base nos ensaios de microestrutura, são determinantes para a elevada retração do cimento de escória ativada com silicato de sódio: a baixa porosidade, caracterizada pela predominância quase total de mesoporos; o elevado grau de hidratação e natureza dos produtos hidratados, com predominância quase total de silicato cálcio hidratado (C-S-H). Na ativação com cal e com cal mais gipsita, a composição diferente dos produtos hidratados (baixa formação de C-S-H e presença significativa de fases aluminato e sulfoluminato, respectivamente) altera a porosidade e a retração, principalmente a autógena que apresenta valores inferiores à do cimento portland. A ativação com hidróxido sódio é caracterizada pela elevada retração autógena e baixa formação de C-S-H, com presença significativa de fases aluminato. / The use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) as an alternative binder to portland cement has been the subject of numerous studies in Brazil and other countries. Because BFS is a residue, its use benefits the environment. Furthermore, BFS cement is less costly and shows technical advantages if compared with normal portland cement, namely the higher strength, good durability in aggressive environments, and low heat of hydration. On the other hand, the high shrinkage of BSF cement is often indicated as one of the major limiting aspects for its use. The objective of this research was to study the development of unrestrained autogenous and drying shrinkage of BSF cement as function, mainly, of the chemical activator types and dosages. Autogenous shrinkage was measured in fully aluminum foil and plastic sheet wrapped specimens. Measurements were taken from 6 hours up to 112 days. Shrinkage was also analyzed in conjunction with mercury posorimetry, conduction calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction tests. Activators used were sodium silicate, hydrated lime + gypsite, hydrated lime and sodium hydroxide. High early strength portland cement was used as reference. The results showed that autogenous and drying shrinkage were larger when BFS was activated with sodium silicate. Most of the shrinkage occurs before 7 days of hydration. Drying shrinkage occurs in two phases: the first phase immediately after demolding, and the second phase concurrently with the formation of the hydrated products. Autogenous shrinkage coincides with the second phase of the drying shrinkage. Based on microstructure analysis, determining factors could be identified that respond for the high shrinkage of sodium silicate activated BFS cement: low porosity, mostly mesopores; high degree of hydration and chemical nature of the hydrated products, essentially calcium silicate hydrate - C-S-H. Activation with hydrated lime and hydrated lime plus dehydrated calcium results low amounts of C-S-H and significant quantities of aluminate and sulphoaluminate phases, respectively. Porosity and shrinkage, mainly autogenous, are lower than that verified for portland cement mixtures. Activation with sodium hydroxide causes high autogenous shrinkage, small amounts of C-S-H and significant quantities of aluminate phases.

In this work the influence of alkaline activator on immobilization of lead and copper in alkali-activated blast furnace slag was investigated. A total of five activators were used; sodium water glass, potassium water glass, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. The leaching test according to ČSN EN 12457-4 was used to evaluate the level of immobilization of heavy metals, the leached solutions were analyzed by ICP-OES. For a better understanding of immobilization, the selected samples were characterized by analytical methods (FTIR, XRD, SEM, XPS). It was found that the degree of immobilization Pb2+ and Cu2+ in AAS was very high, regardless of the type of alkaline activator used.

Air entraining admixtures are surfactants, that are commonly used in Portland cement materials, because they form and stabilize small air bubbles distributed in the binder, thereby changing the pore size distribution. The aim of these additives is to increase the durability of the cured binder, especially in climatic conditions, where it must withstand low temperatures, and simultaneously improving the workability in the plastic state. The effect of air entraining admixtures in alkali-activated slag was studied for certain properties. Air entraining admixtures were able to entrain the air in the alkali-activated matrix, they changed the pore size distribution, which resulted in a reduction in capillary pressure in the porous complex, and there was a reduction of shrinkage under autogenous conditions, respectively. The improvement of workability is certainly also positive, but on the other hand there has been a bad effect on flexural strength and compressive strength. The morphology of the air entrained binder was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and simultaneously the effect of air entrained admixtures on hydration was observed by isothermal calorimetry.