QU research seeks to replace cement with aluminium slag in concrete

A project, being undertaken by some of the researchers of Qatar University, aims to partially make use of aluminium slags in concrete structures.

Initiated under the auspices of the Centre for Advanced Materials, (CAM) at Qatar University, the project aims to partially replace cement which is expensive and environmentally pollutant, with aluminium slags which are discarded in landfills and are not environmentally friendly either.

According to a report in Qatar University Research Magazine, the project team is led by Dr Nesibe Gozde Ozerkan, assistant professor and assistant researcher at CAM.

Omar al-Azzawi, a Masters student in the project team, claimed that using the mix design specified in the research will reduce the concrete final setting time by 48%. It will also, Omar said, reduce the corrosion of the reinforcement steel by more than 50 % which will positively affect the durability of structures.

“Because of the expanding properties of aluminium slag, the mixture can be used in building subfloors, blocks and pre-moulded panels. Applying this idea will contribute in reducing the cost of concrete, time needed for it to be cured, pollution caused by cement production and the pollution that results from throwing the dross into the landfill,” Omar said.

Dr Ozerkan said that the biggest challenge for the project team during the testing process was the harsh weather condition “as we had to prepare our concrete samples outside.”

“Since we needed to decide the ideal concrete design including aluminium dross, we had to prepare a lot of mix designs and perform a lot of tests on a big number of samples,” she added.

Dr Ozerkan said the project is also highly relevant to the realisation of the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 since locally produced aluminium waste, which has very detrimental effect on the environment, was used in the project.

“As a result, it can be said that the usage of the dross in concrete, decreases its detrimental environmental effect. Moreover, the dross has some beneficial effect on concrete properties.Therefore, the results of this investigation result into lots of benefits for local industry.” The cement industry is faced with economic, energy and environmental problems, such as 7% of total world-wide carbon dioxide emissions. For sustainable development, major international concerns have been raised over how to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and given rise to a growing interest in the development of materials and technologies to reduce the impact of cement.

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