Comparative Studies on Flexural Strength of Conventional and Alkali-Activated Masonry Elements Designed to Field Mix

Due to degradation and non-availability of the natural resource, a numerous research is under taken to find a sustainable and eco-friendly construction material. One of the ways to achieve this is by replacing the major materials of the normal cement concrete, completely or partially with different materials using low cost, easily available industrial by-products or waste material. Considering all these facts, the present study focuses on an alkali-activated cement with the complete substitution of conventional cement binder with GGBS, fly ash and glass powder for the production of standard solid masonry blocks of standard size. In the study, locally available quarry dust is used as fine aggregates as a complete substitution of river sand. This investigation is aimed to study the strength aspects such as compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength of the masonry blocks as per IS 2185-1-2005. As per the results obtained, it is revealed that alkali-activated concrete masonry blocks have superior strength aspects when compared to OPC concrete masonry blocks.