Influence of slag on mechanical and durability properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete

Abstract

A geopolymer binder is measured as an alternative and elective material to customary Portland binders. Utilization of Fly ash (FA) as a primary binding material limits the waste creation of thermal power stations and reduces environmental impacts. This paper presents the strength performance of geopolymer concrete (GC) with different proportions of FA and ground granulated blast furnace slag. The potential of GC against acid resistance, porosity, water absorption, and sorptivity is presented in this paper. Apart from this, rapid chloride penetration test was performed to assess the chloride resistance of GC. XRD and SEM analysis was done on selected samples of GC to categorize microstructural performance. The results depicted that mixes M5 and M10 have attained higher compressive strengths, i.e., 49.0 and 57.6 MPa, while the acid durability loss factor values are less by 28% and 19%, respectively compared to other mixes of GC.