Effect of curing conditions on the compressive strength of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete

Abstract

The utilization of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete construction has led to significant environmental concerns, including the depletion of natural resources and the release of CO2 emissions during its production. To address these issues, the development of cement-less concrete known as geopolymer concrete (GPC) offers a promising solution. GPC can be produced by utilizing industrial waste materials, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. In this study, fly ash, an industrial waste, was used as a key component in the production of GPC.The research focused on investigating the effects of various variables on the workability and compressive strength of GPC. Specifically, the molarity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions (6 M, 9 M, 12 M, and 14 M), curing temperatures (30 °C, 60 °C, and 90 °C), and curing periods (7, 14, and 28 days) were examined. The performance of GPC was compared to that of OPC-based control concrete.The results obtained from the experiments exhibited promising outcomes, highlighting the potential of fly ash-based GPC as an alternative to OPC-based concrete. The study revealed that GPC achieved desirable workability and compressive strength when subjected to specific combinations of the examined variables.By utilizing fly ash as an industrial waste material, GPC not only addresses environmental concerns associated with OPC but also contributes to sustainable construction practices. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the feasibility of utilizing fly ash-based GPC as a viable alternative to OPC-based concrete, emphasizing its potential for reducing environmental impact in the construction industry.