Investigation on mechanical properties of fly ash-ground granulated blast furnace slag based self curing bio-geopolymer concrete. (15th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karthik, A.; Sudalaimani, K.; Vijaya Kumar, C.T.
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 149(2017)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2017-09-15
• Subjects: Fly ash-GGBS -- Bio-additives -- Geopolymer -- Self curing; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Bio-additives + Geopolymer concrete = Bio-Geopolymer concrete. Bio-additives showed positive effects in self cured geopolymer concrete. Low molarity of NaOH (4 M) paved for safer manufacturing of geopolymer concrete. Abstract: Heat cured geopolymer concrete (GPC) normally catalyze the geopolymerization reaction and thereby the mechanical properties of the geopolymer concrete were improved. Because of the practical challenges in applying steam curing/heat curing process, the applications of geopolymer concrete were limited to precast elements alone. The objective of this research was to understand the positive impact of bio-additives such as Terminalia chebula and natural sugars (molasses/palm jaggery/honey) on the mechanical properties of the bio-geopolymer concrete under eco-friendly ambient curing conditions. In this study, both the bio-additives were added 0.8% by the weight of aluminosilicate minerals. Less concentrated alkaline solution (4 M sodium hydroxide) was employed. Experimental results confirmed that the bio-additives combination of Terminalia chebula and palm jaggery in fly ash-ground granulated blast furnace slag based self curing bio-geopolymer concrete improved 31.31% of compressive strength, 14.70% of splitting tensile strength, 27.59% of flexural strength when compared to control specimens cured at ambient condition for 28 days. Also the ultimate load of 83 kN and deflection of 11.99 mm was observed in load-deflection behaviour. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies confirmed that various surface roughness parameters were improved for bio-geopolymer concrete when compared to control specimens.