Incorporating industrial by-products into cement-free binders: Effects on water absorption, porosity, and chloride penetration

This study investigated the performance of cement-free binders incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), rice husk ash (RHA), and circulating fluidized bed combustion fly ash (CFA). Changes in packing density, water absorption, porosity, chloride penetration, and their correlations were evaluated in specimens produced using four different RHA/(RHA + GGBFS) weight ratios (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%) and three different CFA/(RHA + GGBFS) weight ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%). The results indicate that changes in RHA and CFA proportions affected binder properties significantly. Furthermore, the high resistance to chloride penetration in the specimens support that these binders provide good durability.