Compressive Strength of Fly ash-based Geopolymer Concrete with a Variable of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Solution Molarity

Geopolymer concrete is a new material made by activating the raw materials which contain many elements of silica and alumina. Compressive strength of geopolymer concrete produced was influenced by the concentration of the activator solution. This paper presents an experimental investigation into fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. Research objective was to investigate the effects of alkaline activator solution (AAS) molarity on compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. Variable of the test were a solution to sodium hydroxide was chosen as the activator solution. Concentration of sodium hydroxide solution used was 10 M, 12 M and 14 M with ambient curing. The specimen is made of concrete cylinder with diameter 10 cm and height 20 cm as many as 9 pieces each variable. Compressive strength tests is performed when the concrete is 7, 14, and 28 days old. Results of the test are indicated that the increasing of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution concentration leads to improve the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. The optimal compressive strength of geopolymer concrete was achieved at a concentration of sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) of 12 M. Geopolymer concretes compressive strength only achieves around 50-60% of the planned.