Studying the Possibility of Producing Paving Flags from Geopolymer Concrete Containing Local Wastes

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete is an inorganic composite material created by interacting alkaline substances with an aluminosilicate source and aggregate. Precast building units are considered the most prominent uses of geopolymer concrete, and the utilization of recycled steel fibres and rubber from damaged tires that are non-biodegradable to reduce environmental pollution. The results of this investigation show the possibility of using geopolymer concrete with and without the inclusion of crumbed rubber and recycled steel fibers from damaged tires in the production of paving flags with dimensions of 400 × 200 × 50 mm class c according to IQS 1107. Four types of geopolymer concrete flags were prepared, including flag specimens without wastes, flag specimens reinforced with recycled steel fibres waste from damaged car tires with a volume fraction of 0.125%, flag specimens containing 10% crumbed rubber waste aggregate as a partial volumetric replacement to natural coarse aggregate, as well as flag specimens containing two wastes of 10% crumbed rubber as a partial replacement to natural coarse aggregate and 0.125% recycled steel fibres. The experimental tests illustrate that it is possible to reduce the thickness from 50 mm to 35 mm of the paving flags to reduce their weight and cost. In addition, it was discovered that the total flexural energy of paving flags containing recycled steel fibers and rubber aggregate wastes increased by 390% and 271%, respectively, concerning paving flags without wastes. The failure modes changed from brittle to ductile when these wastes were used.

Keywords

• sustainability
• aving flags
• geopolymer concrete
• metakaolin
• local wastes