Alkali-activated Cement (Aac) as a Sustainable Building Material

Alkali-activated cements (AACs) are competitive with ordinary portland cement (OPC) in performance and cost. However, their manufacture produces 95% less CO2, they have longer life and better durability, and they recycle millions of tons of industrial waste. The three specific aims of this project are as follows: Aim 1: Continue to determine the relationships between chemical, microstructural, and performance properties of AACs This aim is central to solving the challenges facing AACs, and will be expanded to include cementitious/pozzolanic materials beyond the slag used thus far. Aim 2: Develop commercially viable AACs using ASTM standard tests Specifically, we aim to pass the performance-based standard ASTM C1157. This aim is central to achieving widespread real-world use of the material as a portland cement alternative. Aim 3: Develop low-cost AACs for use in India, especially slum development / relocation Using principles of Appropriate Design, AACs will be developed using local materials as a high-quality yet affordable building material for improved housing, especially for equitable slum development and/or relocation programs.