An Experimental Investigation on Strength Characteristics of Alkali Activated Fly Ash

Ordinary Portland cement and lime are often used as stabilising agent for weak soil improvement. However, a chief drawback allied with these stabilisers is that their production process asks for higher amount of energy and produces huge quantities of CO2. Environmental threat, thus produced, is self-explanatory. Another intimidation to the environment is caused because of generation of enormous amount of fly ash from thermal power plants. Considering spatial and monetary limitations, disposal of such huge quantity of fly ash is a challenging aspect. Therefore, the present study attempts to improve the strength properties of fly ash by using alkali activation. Importance of the improvisation in strength of alkali activated flyash can be realized by using it in soil stabilization purposes. The present investigation relies on a series of experiments conducted on fly ash in the laboratory to draw the conclusion that alkali activation in fact leads to enhanced strength of this waste and environmentally perilous material and also can render it as a construction material satisfying the required strength characteristics.