Abstract
AbstractLightweight geopolymer concrete was synthesized using fly ash as an aluminosilicate source with the addition of a pore-forming agent. The synthesis of a geopolymer was conducted by employing various volume ratios of geopolymer paste to the foaming agent: 1:0.50, 1:0.67, 1:0.75, 1:1.00, 1:1.33, 1:1.50, and 1:2.00, while the ratios of aluminum powder weight percentage to the fly ash weight varied between 0.01 - 0.15 %wt. The results showed that the higher foaming agent content, the lower the compressive strength and density of the geopolymer. The ratio of the geopolymer paste to the foaming agent, 1:1.33 was found to produce the strongest light weight geopolymer whose compressive strength and density were 33 MPa and 1760 kg/m3, respectively. With the addition of 0.01%wt aluminum powder, the geopolymer specimen showed the highest compressive strength of 42 MPa and density of 1830 kg/m3, respectively. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and FT-IR were utilized to study the effects of foaming agent and aluminum powder addition onto the microstructure, surface morphology, and functional groups of the geopolymer. Both types of synthesized geopolymers have the potential to be developed in terms of compressive strength and density in the future.
Highlights
An earthquake occurs due to the mass transfer in the rock layer of the earth, where the strength of an earthquake is affected by the amount of energy released during the shifts and collisions [1]
Since the compressive strength of lightweight geopolymer obtained in previous studies were low, this study aims to improve the characteristics of lightweight geopolymers as non-cement lightweight concrete with the addition of a foaming agent and aluminum powder as the pore-forming agent
The ratios of aluminum powder weight percentage to the fly ash weight used in this study were 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 %wt
Summary
An earthquake occurs due to the mass transfer in the rock layer of the earth, where the strength of an earthquake is affected by the amount of energy released during the shifts and collisions [1]. The current application of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) for construction has a clear advantage in terms of strength but would result in high weight structure [2]. Conventional lightweight concrete was generally produced from an OPC-based cement. Another study by Abdullah et al [10] explained that the use of foaming agents in their study produced lightweight geopolymers with the mechanical compressive strength of 18.19 MPa. According to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI-03-34492002), the minimum compressive strength of lightweight concrete was 17.24 MPa, with the highest density of about 1850 kg/m3. Since the compressive strength of lightweight geopolymer obtained in previous studies were low, this study aims to improve the characteristics of lightweight geopolymers as non-cement lightweight concrete with the addition of a foaming agent and aluminum powder as the pore-forming agent. The aluminum powder is commonly used to obtain hydrogen gas produced from chemical reaction that tends to generate cavity in mortar [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
