Study of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar prepared with fly ash and GGBS

Abstract

Geopolymers are a novel form of artificial polymer created when an alumino - silicate source is prompted or activated using alkaline hydroxide and a silicate solution. Geopolymeric material is gaining popularity due to their excellent mechanical behavior, environmentally friendly nature and good long term durability. The rapid growth in geopolymer binder’s research and development in recent years has indeed indicated that geopolymer has the greatest potential in solving not only waste management problems related to alumino-silicate solid waste materials generated by various industries, but also environmental degradation related to the use of OPC as a primary binder material in the construction industry.Fly ash (FA), contains significant levels of alumina and silica, which are required for the geopolymerization reaction to occur at 60 to 80 °C which restricts its application in the field. To address this issue an attempt has been made to use GGBS (20%, 30% and 50%) as an additive to reduce the curing temperature. Above mentioned percentages of GGBS have been used with FA with alkaline activator consisting of Sodium Hydroxide (6 M,8M, 10 M, 12 M) and Sodium Silicate. The effect of addition of GGBS on setting time, compressive strength and water absorption has been compared with mortar prepared with OPC. To substantiate the results, FTIR has been used to study the changes in bonding behavior of Si-O-Si and Si-O-Al due to addition of GGBS.