If you are looking for a thorough, realistic vision of this aspect, I strongly recommend chapter 17 of the book edited in 2009 by J.Provis and J.Van Deventer: "Geopolymers:structure processing properties and industrial applications", Woodhead publishing in materials. this chapter (title: Commercialization of GP for construction - opportunities and obstacles) was written by Duxson and Van Deventer. among others, the experience of Australia (seems to have the most advanced level of scientific and industrial application of GP in construction, in the world) is depicted

Yes, Definitely.

This is construction material for 22nd Century.

Advanced research is going on this. This will reduce GHG (CO2) emission worldwide.

If you are looking for a thorough, realistic vision of this aspect, I strongly recommend chapter 17 of the book edited in 2009 by J.Provis and J.Van Deventer: "Geopolymers:structure processing properties and industrial applications", Woodhead publishing in materials. this chapter (title: Commercialization of GP for construction - opportunities and obstacles) was written by Duxson and Van Deventer. among others, the experience of Australia (seems to have the most advanced level of scientific and industrial application of GP in construction, in the world) is depicted

The book Thierry Poirier recommends is excellent, and Van Deventer is a well known expert in the field. The real issue to make geopolymers sustainable and attractive for the future as construction material is to find a cheap alkali source for the activation of the different components used to produce it.

I can bet on it, we have commercialised a geopolymer technology for making paving blocks from steel plant waste in India, it is producing commercially and making profit. We are in the process of commercialising the second technology. If you are able to produce the product which meets specification, techno-economically attractive and sustainable, yes it has a bright future.

If you wish to see the most extensive use of GeoPolymers review Dr. Koerner's textbooks which are inexpensive. Here is volume 1 http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Geosynthetics-Edition-Vol-ebook/dp/B007CLQHP2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1 and you can search from there for Volume 2. You can't beat the price of $3.49 per volume.

Processing kaolinite requires less energy than portland cement, some industrial byproducts like PFA require even less energy. Geopolymers have then lower CO2 emission than the production of portland cement. Further, if one considers that silicoaluminates are the most abundant raw materials in the planet, then geopolymers are promising. However many questions arise, as to their handling by self-construction in developing countries, the position of the powerful cement industry in countries like Mexico.

It needs high supervision and advanced research should be done to standardize this new material.

I understand that RILEM has already form a committee to look into standardization of alkali activated material

Geopolymers can be prepared using waste materials like fly ash, slag etc. No conventional cement would be used to prepare this binder. It is already in use in Australia. It may soon have application in India.

To update you Radhakrishna, it is already in use in India, China, Czeck Republic, UK, Ukraine and many other countries

During 19-20 Dec 2013, we organised an special session on geopolymer during Annual Session of Indian Ceramic Society in Jamshedpur, India. Prof. V. Rangan, Curtin Univ, Dr. Temuujin Jadamba of Mongolian Academy of Science and many other eminent personalities will be attending to discuss various issues of geopolymer. You may contact me at [email protected] if interested in attending.

Geopolymers are one of the important progress in civil engineering. We can use it for stabilization process, as a water proof agent and other tremendous engineering deeds. Its a very simple structured and accessible for application.. Its also one way for the management of CO2 and many more.. The disposal of plastic is very hectic job so those can be used in an alternative way so that disposals also can be managed easily. This can be used for stabilization of soil in road.. can be used as water proof agent in road and construction. slope stabilization in abutment and have tremendous application so more advance research for this deeds is really appreciable in upcoming future.

Kindly let me know where geopolymers are in use in India.

Thanks to Mustafa who initiated this discussion and other colleagues that have commented.

In my own view, the relevance of geopolymer binder in future is not only promising but also has the potential of utilizing the materials potential capacity to the fullest. Its green nature through the reduction in the required embodied energy and its tendency to guarantee safe environmental conditions by using wastes as base materials are another 'sweet and goodies' that geopolymer binder offers. Its fire resistance and chemical attack resistance are another advantages GP has over the conventional concrete.

The only challenge at present are the handling of the materials as regards the chemical irritation and corrosiveness and to attain the status of "add-water-only" like Ordinary Portland Cement.

@Mark, the price you quoted in your posting seems to be less than the actual price of the book as placed by Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Geosynthetics-Edition-Vol-ebook/dp/B007CLQHP2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

Moruf, there are some more challenges when we talk of up scaling. On technical side, efflorescence is one major problem if the process control is not optimized. Leaching of free alkali in environment is another issue. Lack of any standard is hampering its commercialization. We setup a pilot plant in 2011 to study all the parameters, properties and techno-economics and then only we could commercialize our technology.

Thanks Sanjay, Binary blending of alumino-silicate based materials could also nib efflorescence problem in the bud [1] . Everyone working in this area would contribute to the standardization of commercialized working code through the publication of their research findings as recognized by the existing known stardards for concrete materials such as: ACI,ASCE,BS/EN, IS, DIN e.t.c

Another challenge is the variability of material oxide compositions of the base materials vis-a-vis fly-ash, GBFS, rice-husk, metakaolin, bottom ash, tail-mining etc. Failure of whatever commercialize standard to recognize the uniqueness of each aluminosilicate material may lead to gross-misapplication and a re-birth of futuristic secondary challenge.

Allahverdi et al. (2011). Effects of blast furnace slag on natural pozzolan-based geopolymer cement. Ceramic-Silikaty.

ASTM Committee C01 on Cement is developing proposed standard ASTM WK42602, Test Method for Compressive Strength of Alkali Activated Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan Cement Mortars. Once approved, standard may be applied to compare different lots or sources or to monitor changes in strength given by single source of fly ash or natural pozzolan. Primary users will be producers of construction materials, independent testing laboratories, and academic research groups.

RILEM has also formed a technical committee for standardization of Geopolymer.

I am glad that there is a lot of researches on geopolymer concrete. I think it is a very promising material but there is still a lot of unknown factors, so extensive further research is needed. It is very difficult to understand the effect of chemical composition of fly ash on the compresive strenght of AAFAC and especialy, the effect of water in the reaction and in concrete. I found this book useful http://www.amazon.com/Geopolymers-Structures-processing-applications-Engineering/dp/184569449X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376647936&sr=8-2&keywords=geopolymer

Geopolymer cement is indeed a promising material for the future not only in respect to CO2 reduction, but also in reduction on mining of raw finite materials, value adding to waste materials and of course in terms of durability and strength. Thank you Sanjay for enlightening us on the potential standards for testing of compressive strength. Very exciting area of research indeed!

Would the leaching of free alkali from such geopolymer concete be a concern for long term durability in the service environment?