Utilization of Industrial By-Products in Geopolymer Prefabricated Blocks

This paper presents an experimental study on laboratory evaluation of industrial by-products that is copper slag and fly ash as a construction material for the production of prefabricated block used in construction. In order to determine the feasibility and optimum quantities of these industrial by-products for the formation of prefabricated blocks, concrete sample with different percentage of industrial by-products has been prepared. Different concentrations of NaOH and KOH also have been used in order to obtain the strength by inducing chemical reaction between the ingredients. All the specimens were cured for seven days at elevated temperature of 60 °C, and their unconfined compressive strength was determined. Test results indicated that mix with 30% fly ash and 70% copper slag with 8 M solution of alkali material is best suited for its commercial utilization and formation of prefabricated blocks. The utilization of copper slag and fly ash mix in construction will not only save the scarcity of conventional materials but also solve the problem related to its disposal.