This study examines foamed geopolymer composites based on fly ash from the Skawina coal-fired power plant in Poland. The paper presents the effect of adding 3% and 5% by weight of glass wool waste on selected properties of foamed geopolymers. The scope of the tests carried out included density measurements, compressive and bending strength tests, measurements of the heat conduction coefficient, and the results of measurements of changes in thermal radiation in samples subjected to a temperature of 800 °C. The obtained results indicate that glass wool waste can be successfully used to lower the density and heat conduction coefficient of foamed geopolymer composites with a fly ash matrix. In addition, the results of changes in thermal radiation in the samples subjected to the temperature of 800 °C showed a positive effect of the addition of glass wool waste. Moreover, the introduction of the addition of glass wool waste made it possible to increase the compressive strength of the examined foamed geopolymers. For the material modified with 3% by weight of mineral wool, the increase in compressive strength was about 10%, and the increase in fibers in the amount of 5% by weight resulted in an increase of 20% concerning the base material. The obtained results seem promising for future applications. Such materials can be used in technical constructions as thermal insulation materials.

Geopolymer composites have been around only for 40 years. Nowadays, they are used in buildings and infrastructures of various kinds. A geopolymer’s main benefit is that it is a green material that is partially made by utilizing waste products. The carbon footprint from geopolymer matrix manufacturing is at least two times less than Portland cement manufacturing. Due to the nature of the geopolymer manufacturing process, there is a high risk of shrinkage that could develop unwanted micro-cracks that could reduce strength and create higher creep strains. Because of this concern, a common strategy to reduce long-term strains of the material, such as shrinkage and creep, is to add fiber reinforcement that would constrain crack development in the material. This article aims to determine how various kinds and amounts of different fiber reinforcement affect fly ash-based geopolymer composites’ creep strains in compression. Specimen mixes were produced with 1% steel fibers, 1% polypropylene fibers, 5% polypropylene fibers, and without fibers (plain geopolymer). For creep and shrinkage testing, cylindrical specimens Ø46 × 190 mm were used. The highest creep resistance was observed in 5% polypropylene fiber specimens, followed by 1% polypropylene fiber, plain, and 1% steel fiber specimens. The highest compressive strength was observed in 1% polypropylene fiber specimens, followed by plain specimens, 1% steel fiber specimens, and 5% polypropylene fiber-reinforced specimens. The only fiber-reinforced geopolymer mix with improved long-term properties was observed with 1% polypropylene fiber inclusion, whereas other fiber-introduced mixes showed significant decreases in long-term properties. The geopolymer composite mix with 1% polypropylene fiber reinforcement showed a reduction in creep strains of 31% compared to the plain geopolymer composite.

Foamed concrete has been used as a building material since early 1920. In the beginning, it was used as an insulation material with very low density. Since then there have been attempts to make this material more load-bearing and structural. In present-day foamed concrete is being used in soil reinforcement, building blocks and other sorts of building materials [1]. Geopolymer concrete has been around for more than 40 years. It is being used in all sorts of buildings such as railroads, reservoirs, and houses. As both of these materials, structural capacities and usage increases there still are questions regarding their long-term properties like creep and shrinkage. This article aims to determine the differences in the time-dependent long-term properties of these two different building materials. The size of all creep and shrinkage specimens was 46mm in the diameter and 190mm in height. The creep properties of the specimen were determined by loading them with 20% of the ultimate stress value. The compressive strength, creep and shrinkage of both materials were determined. Also, new information on geopolymer concrete and foam concrete specimen modulus of elasticity variation differences in-time were determined. Modulus of elasticity did reach 31.39 GPa on the 30th day, 36.79 GPa on the 62nd and 48.34 GPa on the 135th day since specimens were made for geopolymer concrete and 12.22 GPa on the 30th day, 12.49 GPa on the 62nd and 14.23 GPa on the 135th day since specimens were made for foam concrete. All the data regarding compressive strength, long-term properties, and modulus of elasticity of the specimens have been obtained by experimental investigation only.

The article presents the research that try to determinate the possibilities of utilization the waste came from used tires to create the composites based on geopolymer matrix. The tire is multicomponent construction. It mainly consists of elastomer (rubber), metal and textile fibres such called textile cord. A lot of components causes difficulties in the tire recycling process. The main aim of the research was determinate the possibilities of recycling the waste steel from used tires in geopolymer composites and develop the eco-friendly material for construction industry. The matrix based on fly ash from power station located in city named Skawina (Poland) and fine sand at a ratio of 1:1. The process of activation was made by 10M sodium hydroxide solution combined with the sodium silicate solution. In order to manufacture these composites the addition of 2% and 3.5% of waste steel fibres by mass was applied. Also specimen without steel fiber reinforcement were made to get reference specimens. The waste steel fibres came from recycling company from Argentina – ‘Regomax’. The specimens were prepared according to the methodology described in the standard EN 12390-1. The research methods used were: microstructure research, tensile strength and compressive strength tests as well as analysis of breakthroughs.

In recent decades, geopolymer concrete has often been viewed as an alternative to traditional concrete. Although its comparatively lower production of greenhouse gas emissions during a lifecycle is usually mentioned at the top of the list of benefits, the possibility of using various waste materials in its production is a clear advantage as well. This literature review summarizes and analyses the existing information on the different available construction wastes for the production of geopolymer and foamed geopolymer concrete and analyzes the curing conditions, constituents in the aluminosilicate precursor, mechanical properties, and the activator type. As part of the literature review, the use of autoclaved aerated concrete and brick wastes has been evaluated. Autoclaved concrete has been chosen because it is a typical low-strength, cement-based construction material and demolition waste that is currently disposed of in landfills, making it quite a challenge for direct use as a supplementary cementitious material. On the other hand, brick waste, one of the most common construction wastes, can be feasibly used in the form of brick dust. This literature review uses data from randomly selected studies.