Hybrid Cements and Construction Elements Based on Alkaline Activation with Sodium Sulfates from Fly Ash and Construction and Demolition Waste

This article demonstrates the possibility of producing hybrid cementitious materials (pastes, mortars, concretes, and precast elements) based on fly ash (FA) and construction and demolition wastes (CDW) using alkaline activation technology. Sodium sulfate was used as an activator and fine and coarse aggregates were obtained from CDW residues. An addition of Portland cement (OPC) (10 to 30%) allowed for improvement in the mechanical behavior of the hybrid cements and them to be cured at room temperature (25 degrees C). The FA and CDW cementitious materials obtained compressive strengths of 37 MPa and 32 MPa, respectively. The compressive strength of FA and CDW alkali-activated concretes at 28 days of curing was 22 MPa and 18 MPa, respectively, which identifies them as structural concretes according to NSR-10 title C in Colombia. The potential use of these concretes was validated by obtaining and classifying precast materials.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the possibility of producing hybrid cementitious materials based on fly ash and construction and demolition wastes using alkaline activation technology. The mechanical properties and applicability of the hybrid cements were evaluated.