GREEN CAST DEMONSTRATION OF INNOVATIVE LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS MADE OF RECYCLED ASH FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Íñigo Larraza, Ignacio del Val, Alessandro Marseglia, Giovanni Giodice, Jose Vera-Agullo

Abstract: The present article describes the main objectives and outcomes of the GREEN CAST project. This project aims at the demonstration of an innovative material that has been ideated and developed to be a green alternative to autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). The present material is based on geopolymer technology and consists on fly ash activated in an alkaline solution in the presence of a foaming agent. The mechanical, thermal and acoustic characterization suggests that the properties of the developed material are similar to those of AAC. The life cycle analyses carried out for both materials reveal that the alternative technology has a lower environmental impact, associated to the use of the alkaline activator. The material in form of blocks was used to build a demonstrator and its behavior as thermal and acoustic insulating material was monitored and compared to an identical AAC made demonstrator. The similar performance of both materials reveals that GREEN CAST is a technical and environmentally viable alternative to AAC.

Keywords: Lightweight, Fly ash, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, Geopolymer.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0325022