The proposed study evaluates the environmental performance of different geopolymer mortar design mixes, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. It is carried out by comparing the environmental impacts of four geopolymer mortar blends, namely, fly ash based geopolymer, ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer, fly ash and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer, fly ash and metakaolin-based geopolymer, and activated with alkaline activators, such as sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. LCA results indicate that sodium silicate and metakaolin are the main sources of environmental impacts, and the most relevant processes in terms of climate change. Fly ash and metakaolin-based geopolymer mortar has the greatest impact fly ash and slag while fly ash and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer mortar has the least environmental impact, and furthermore the global warming potential of all geopolymer mortars is lower than conventional concrete. These results are seen as an important contribution to a sustainable future, as geopolymers are an interesting solution to limit the negative consequences of cement production
Opportunities and future challenges of geopolymer mortars for sustainable development
Petrillo A.;Farina I.;Travaglioni M.;Salzano C.;Cioffi R.
2021-01-01
Abstract
The proposed study evaluates the environmental performance of different geopolymer mortar design mixes, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. It is carried out by comparing the environmental impacts of four geopolymer mortar blends, namely, fly ash based geopolymer, ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer, fly ash and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer, fly ash and metakaolin-based geopolymer, and activated with alkaline activators, such as sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. LCA results indicate that sodium silicate and metakaolin are the main sources of environmental impacts, and the most relevant processes in terms of climate change. Fly ash and metakaolin-based geopolymer mortar has the greatest impact fly ash and slag while fly ash and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer mortar has the least environmental impact, and furthermore the global warming potential of all geopolymer mortars is lower than conventional concrete. These results are seen as an important contribution to a sustainable future, as geopolymers are an interesting solution to limit the negative consequences of cement productionI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
