Drying Shrinkage of Fly Ash-Based Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

–The drying shrinkage behaviour of fly-ash-based self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) was studied for a period of one year. Two SCGC and One OPC-based conventional mixture were used in the present investigation. Drying shrinkage test commenced on the 7th day after casting the test specimens. Once the appropriate curing regime was completed, the specimens from each mix were placed in the laboratory room where the temperature was maintained at 23°C, however, the relative humidity of the room varied between 56 and 64 percent. Strain readings taken at specific intervals were analyzed to determine the time-dependent deformations of each mixture. Test results indicated that the heat-cured fly ash-based SCGC experienced very low drying shrinkage than that of water-cured OPC based concrete. After one year of exposure, in comparison to 466 με, the value experienced by OPC concrete, the drying shrinkage strains of SCGC mix specimens ranged between 141 and 159 με. These values were about 65-70% lower than that of OPC concrete. It is anticipated that the findings of this investigation would help in predicting the behaviour of SCGC. Keywords-Fly ash, Geopolymer concrete, Self-compacting Geopolymer concrete, Drying shrinkage