IIT Guwahati Innovates Eco-Friendly Geopolymer, Paving the Way for Sustainable Construction

IIT Guwahati develops an innovative geopolymer, tackling industrial waste management and promoting sustainable construction using industrial byproducts.

IIT Guwahati Innovates Eco-Friendly Geopolymer

A research team at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, led by Prof. Anil K. Mishra from the Department of Civil Engineering, has developed a groundbreaking solution addressing two critical global challenges: industrial waste management and sustainable construction. The team’s innovation lies in creating a geopolymer using industrial byproducts and waste materials, including water treatment sludge (WTS), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS).

Prof. Mishra's team tackles critical challenges in civil engineering and waste management through their research. By recycling industrial waste, the project reduces landfill pressure and curtails environmental harm caused by conventional disposal methods. This innovative geopolymer technology offers industries, municipalities, and governments a sustainable solution to adopt eco-friendly construction practices while effectively managing industrial waste.

Speaking on the research, Prof. Anil K. Mishra said, "Our research provides a solution by converting WTS and industrial byproducts like fly ash and GGBS into a geopolymer. Geopolymers are renowned for their high strength, durability, and minimal environmental impact. Through the process of geopolymerisation, silicon and aluminum from these materials react with alkaline activators to form a three-dimensional alumino-silicate structure. This results in a material that matches traditional cement in performance while significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption."

About Eco-Friendly Geopolymer

The WTS-FA-GGBS geopolymer shows significant potential for road construction, particularly as a subgrade material for roads and pavements. The research team assessed its mechanical properties, highlighting its ability to strengthen the subgrade layer, which is crucial for the durability and stability of roads. Using the WTS-based geopolymer as a soil stabilizer notably improves road performance, especially in areas with soft or weak soils.

The team is also exploring the geopolymerization of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which accounts for over 10 billion tons annually and represents more than 35% of global waste. They have developed innovative applications for C&D waste, such as using it in base and subbase layers for road pavements and in paver blocks. This approach not only promotes effective waste management but also significantly reduces environmental impact.

Tests conducted by the IIT Guwahati team, including Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) assessments, demonstrated that the WTS-FA-GGBS geopolymer surpasses the minimum strength requirements for cement-stabilized subgrade materials. Durability tests further confirmed its resilience under extreme environmental conditions, making it a dependable option for infrastructure projects in a variety of climates.

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