Abstract—In order to face current compelling environmental problems affecting the planet, the construction industry needs to adapt. It is widely acknowledged that there is a need for durable, high-performance, low-greenhouse gas emission binders that can be used as an alternative to Portland cement (PC) to lower the environmental impact of construction. Alkali activated materials (AAMs) are considered a more sustainable alternative to PC materials. The binders of AAMs result from the reaction of an alkali metal source and a silicate powder or precursor which can be a calcium silicate or an aluminosilicate-rich material. This paper evaluates the particle size, specific surface area, chemical and mineral composition and amorphousness of silicate materials (most industrial waste locally produced in Ireland and Saudi Arabia) to develop alkali-activated binders that can replace PC resources in specific applications. These include recycled ceramic brick, bauxite, illitic clay, fly ash and metallurgical slag. According to the results, the wastes are reactive and comply with building standards requirements. The study also evidenced that the reactivity of the Saudi bauxite (with significant kaolinite) can be enhanced on thermal activation; and high calcium in the slag will promote reaction; which should be possible with low alkalinity activators. The wastes evidenced variable water demands that will be taken into account for mixing with the activators. Finally, further research is proposed to further determine the reactive fraction of the clay-based precursors. Keywords—Reactivity, water demand, alkali-activated materials, brick, bauxite, illitic clay, fly ash, slag. I. INTRODUCTION T is widely acknowledged that climate change adversely affects earth and endangers human and animal life. Economic losses due to climate change in Europe amounted to approximately EUR 453 billion between 1980 and 2017 [1], and annually, $2,245 billion losses are attributed to climate- related disasters [2]. PC is the most widely-used engineering material in the world, and the world demand is projected to rise by 5.2% during 2019-2024 [3]. To produce one ton of cement approximately one ton of carbon dioxide is projected to the atmosphere [4]. Moreover, cement production consumes significant natural resources, as 1.6 tons of raw materials are required to produce 1 ton of cement [5]. The forecasted increase in world demand (5.2%) will raise emissions and Omar Alelweet is with Department of Civil Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (phone: 353- 896 1000; e-mail: alelweeo@ tcd.ie). Sara Pavia is with the Department of Civil Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (e-mail: PAVIAS@tcd.ie). resource consumption significantly. Therefore, there is a need for durable, high-performance, low-greenhouse gas emission binders that can be used as alternatives to PC to lower the environmental impact of construction. AAMs are considered a more sustainable alternative to PC products. They are produced at lower cost than PC, with low CO 2 emissions and low raw material and fossil fuel consumption, with energy savings up to 60% on production [6]. Alkali activated (AA) binders result from the reaction of an alkali metal source and a silicate powder or precursor which can be a calcium silicate or an aluminosilicate-rich material. AAMs were patented in 1958 and used in construction in 1960 in USSR; and precast products using AA cements are widespread in Eastern Europe, Finland and France [6]. This paper studies the physical properties and composition of silicate materials locally produced (in Ireland and Saudi Arabia). It evaluates the feasibility of using these silicates, as precursors, to develop alkali-activated binders and create sustainable materials that can replace PC products in specific applications. The silicate precursors include recycled ceramic brick, bauxite, illitic clay, fly ash and metallurgical slags. Some of them are waste that would otherwise end in landfills. II. MATERIALS The silicate materials evaluated as precursors include illitic clay, recycled ceramic brick, fly ash, metallurgical slag and bauxite. A. Illitic Clay A Tertiary marly clay from the Cormey quarry in County Cavan, Ireland, was used in this research. The mineral composition includes clay minerals (57%) and non-clay minerals consisting of quartz (26%), calcite (7.5%), feldspar (4%), goethite (1%), hematite (4%) and rutile (0.5%), and the clay fraction consists of illite (28%), chlorite (15%), smectite (5%), muscovite (4%) and fireclay (5%) [7]. B. Recycled Ceramic Brick Crushed brick fabricated using the illitic clay above fired at 1030 °C by Kingscourt Brick Ltd. was also evaluated as a precursor. The bricks are extruded, wire-cut and fired in a tunnel kiln, following the production methods at Kingscourt Brick. Defective bricks with chippings, efflorescence or cracks are crushed and recycled on site. An Evaluation of the Feasibility of Several Industrial Wastes and Natural Materials as Precursors for the Production of Alkali Activated Materials O. Alelweet, S. Pavia I World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:13, No:12, 2019 741 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 13(12) 2019 ISNI:0000000091950263 Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:13, No:12, 2019 waset.org/Publication/10010965