Output details
13 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
University of Sheffield : B - Materials Science and Engineering
Accelerated carbonation testing of alkali-activated binders significantly underestimates service life: The role of pore solution chemistry
We explained, for the first time, why laboratory tests of geopolymer concretes predict low durability, while field observations show good performance. Scientific validation of carbonation mechanisms is key to substitution of geopolymers for Portland cements which account for 8% of global CO2 emissions (achieving up to 80% reductions in life-cycle analysis). We explained experimental observations by thermodynamic modelling, showing that standard accelerated testing provide misleading results and underestimate geopolymer durability. Our methods are central to the 2013 ERC Starting Grant GeopolyConc (€1.5M) awarded to Provis, and a Work Package of RILEM Technical Committee DTA (47 members/16 countries; Chair, Provis).
