Design of alkali-activated materials for a modular green wall and green roof system

• Main Authors: Manso Maria, Castro-Gomes João
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2019-01-01
• Series: MATEC Web of Conferences
• Online Access: https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2019/23/matecconf_ricon17_04001.pdf

This study presents the work developed with alkali activated mixtures to be used as component of a new modular green wall and green roof system (GEOGREEN). The aim is to find the most appropriate composition of alkali-activated mixture to maximize water absorption and porosity and also find a good mechanical strength with reduced density. Alkali-activated mixtures were produced using two precursors, mine waste mud from Panasqueira mine (W) and ground waste glass (G) and two alkaline activators, sodium silicate (SS) and sodium hydroxide (SH). A ventilated oven was used to speed up the curing process. Variables as percentage substitution of W per G, molar concentration of SH, cure length and temperature, were tested to identify the reference mixture. After these tests different percentages of aggregates as sand (S), expanded cork granules (C) and expanded clay (A) were added to reference mixture (REF). Results indicate that S25 obtained the maximum compressive strength of 35 MPa after 7 curing days. However, about 30% compressive strength loss is observed after immersion of this mixture in water for 24h. Capillary absorption coefficient can reach to 4,77 kg/m2.h0,5 with C25 and to 4,11 kg/m2.h0,5 with S25. Also C50 enables a 20% density reduction compared to REF.