Andreasen Particle Packing Method on the Development of Geopolymer Concrete for Civil Engineering

Abstract

Alkali-activated binders (AAB) or geopolymers are new ceramic materials with the potential to replace portland cement in a wide range of applications, from immobilization of heavy metals to concretes for civil engineering. They rely on the alkaline activation of aluminosilicates, such as blast furnace slag (BFS), pulverized fly ash (PFA), and metakaolin (MK). Despite their high mechanical strength and chemical durability, geopolymer concretes are in many cases marked with high porosity and permeability, which could negatively affect the performance or long-term durability of concretes. This paper employs the Andreasen particle packing method, commonly used for ceramic materials, to improve the geopolymer formulations studied on the development of micro-concretes. Three parameters were investigated: (1) the Andreasen packing factor