Experimental Investigation on Strength and Durability of Fly Ash and GGBS Based Geopolymer Concrete

Geopolymer is an aluminosilicate binding material synthesized by thermal activation of solid aluminosilicate base material such as GGBS and fly ash. Geopolymer concrete is produced due to alkalization of materials rich in aluminum and silicon with alkali solution, an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Alkali solution was varied in different molar concentration with sodium hydroxide to sodium silicate ratio of 2.5. The effect of age on geopolymer binder cured at ambient temperature and microstructure of binder were studied. The material used in this study consists of fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, alkaline liquid, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate and sisal fibre. The mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete and binder with or without the sisal fibre were determined. The durability tests such as acid attack test and chloride attack for various mix samples were also conducted.