Enhancement of the Mechanical Properties of a Geopolymer Concrete Due to Chemical and Microstructural Interaction of the Binder Material

Abstract

Many experimentation and researchers were made in the recent decades in concrete and advancement in the field of concrete technology were given a major focus. In the years of research, many new replacement materials were identified and further details studies over the materials were made to have a clear and better idea about the material. In this study, the binder which is to be cement basically is replaced with a combination of Alccofine-1203(A), Metakaolin (MK), and Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) in different ratios to arrive a geopolymer concrete mix. In addition, the study also focuses on the chemical interaction of the replacement material and its microstructure interaction. The liquid binder (l/b) ratios varied between 0.48 to 0.54, and about seven geopolymer concrete mixes were arrived and experimental investigation done for mechanical property. The maximum compressive strength obtained from the mix proportions G50M35A15 at an l/b ratio of 0.50 was taken as a mix design for the Geopolymer mix. The identified combination of Granulated Blast-furnace Slag, Metakaolin, Alccofine-1203 (GMA) is used for further study. In general, when finer particles were replaced or added to the material, the finer particle will reduce the voids and thereby increasing the strength of the concrete by developing a denser material combination. Experimentally, results proves that there is a significant hike in the mechanical behaviour of the concrete. The microstructure investigation is carried out through SEM analysis and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) which indicated a good interlocking characteristics of the materials which inturn directly impacts the mechanical properties of the concrete.