Environmental impact assessment of industrial waste geopolymer material

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Balamand, 110, Lebanon
² Department of Génie Civil & Environnemental, IMT Nord Europe, CERI Matériaux et Procédés, 59500 Douai, France
³ IMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Centre for Materials and Processes, F-59000 Lille, France

^* Corresponding author: Marianne.saba@balamand.edu.lb

Abstract

Geopolymers have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional ordinary Portland cement concrete due to their compelling thermo-mechanical characteristics and impressive durability. Geopolymer aligns harmoniously with contemporary goals of engineering construction solutions that are stronger, environmentally sustainable, and ecologically friendly. This paper incorporates the environmental impact of various natural minerals and industrial waste materials integrated or reused in their formulation to further investigate geopolymers’ exceptional environmentally friendly attributes. Through careful exploration of the overall properties and characteristics of the materials used in geopolymer production, the work unveils the guiding principles behind selecting and utilizing these components, shedding light on their individual and collective contributions to the material’s overall eco-friendly characteristics. The results of this research elucidate the difference in chemical composition and the main source of the materials. The research done on the environmental impact of several geopolymer materials proves that geopolymers are indeed a suitable alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete as geopolymer concrete reduces the amount of pollution and global warming, which renders geopolymers an environmentally friendly material that has excellent potential to replace ordinary Portland cement as a construction material. However, some of the materials used for geopolymer formulation still present potential harm to the environment.