Corrosion assessment of ferrocement element with nanogeopolymer for marine application

Abstract

AbstractCorrosion is the major reason which limits the practical application of ferrocement structures in the marine environment. To protect the thin and strong wire mesh reinforcement, preventive methods are required to be employed. One of such methods implemented in this paper is novel application of geopolymer mortar on the surface of the wire mesh. The microstructural pores present in the highly durable fly ash based geopolymer mortar are further enhanced by using nanomodified fly ash particles to achieve the impermeable surfaces. Effect of alkaline solution concentration on the chloride ion penetration and corrosion has been investigated by using the different concentration of sodium hydroxide solution from 8 to 14 M. From the results, it is noted that for the geopolymer specimens, the chloride ions penetration values of 542.70 Coulombs is observed at 28 days which comes under the category of very low as per ASTM C1202‐10. The chloride ion penetration observed in geopolymer specimen is 17% lesser than ferrocement panel with conventional cement mortar. The time taken for cracking is delayed in the case of ferrocement panel with geopolymer mortar of 10 M concentrated sodium hydroxide solution by thrice the times of specimen with conventional cement mortar. This indicates that the incorporation of nanogeopolymer in ferrocement element not only increased the strength but also its serviceability against cracking and corrosion resulted in the extensive application of ferrocement construction in marine environment.