Dry-mix autoclaved lunar concrete from lower-Ti basalt lunar regolith simulant

To build a permanently inhabited base on the Moon is a vitally important step to developing deep space exploration and lunar colonization. Therefore, indigenous materials become a significant requirement for lunar construction as transporting the construction materials from Earth is extremely expensive. Fortunately, construction materials can be fabricated by utilizing in-situ materials on the Moon. Dry mix autoclaving is a feasible process for lunar construction material manufacture. In this study, the influence of calcareous material ratio, LRS fineness and briquetting pressure on mechanical property was discussed to estimating the most appropriate technological parameter. The strength forming mechanism was expounded by the investigation of hydration products. The result shows that introducing appropriate amount of high-activity calcium materials can improve the strength and promote the generation of target hydration products. Meanwhile, the increasing of LRS fineness resulted in weakening of compressive strength which may ascribe to the decreasing compactness caused by the trapped gas during forming process with finer particles. The increment of briquetting pressure enhanced compressive strength in a certain range. However, it should be implemented after comprehensive consideration of the enhancing effect. This research provides support for preparation of autoclaved lunar construction materials in the near future. © 2018 The Authors. Published by Diamond Congress Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Creative Construction Conference 2018.