Effect of GGBS on Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Mortar at Ambient and Heat Curing

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigates and shows the effect of incorporation of ground granuated blast furnace slag (GGBS) content in fly ash (FA) based geopolymer mortar by assessing the strength properties of geopolymer mortar in both ambient (25 °C) and heat (60 °C) curing. The percentage of GGBS is varied from 0% to 50% with FA in geopolymer mortar. Sodium silicate (SS) and sodium hydroxide (SH) solutions are used to activate the main binders. For all the mixes the alkali/binder ratio, molarity (M), and sodium silicate (SS)/sodium hydroxide (SH) ratio are fixed to 0.45, 12 M, and 2, respectively. The fresh property in terms of slump flow and other properties like compressive strength, water absorption, and dry density of the geopolymer mortar are determined. The result of this study shows that the inclusion of GGBS content in FA‐based geopolymer mortar significantly increases the compressive in both the curing conditions. Maximum compressive strength of 44.33 MPa is obtained when 50% GGBS is added to the mixes at a curing temperature of 60 °C.