FLY ASH-BASED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

By
K. VINAY RAJ

Guide Y.M. MANJUNATH

LECTURER
 CONTENTS:
 INTRODUCTION

 DEFINATION

 CONSTITUENTS OF GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

 MIXING AND COMPACTION

 CURING PROCESS

 FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

 SULPHATE RESISTANCE

 ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATION

 CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION

 To reduce the emission of greenhouse gas from cement

industry.

 7%of annual global warming is due cement indutry.

 To reduce the use of portland cement.

 Geopolymer technology is an alternative to the

portland cement.
 GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

 DEFINATION

 The source material reacts with alkaline liquid to form

the geopolymer paste that binds the coarse and fine
aggregates, together to form the geopolymer concrete.

 There is no use of portland cement.

 CONSTITUENTS OF GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

• Low-calcium fly ash

• Alkaline liquid

• Super plasticizer
Low-calcium fly ash

•Low-calcium fly ash is obtained

from coal-burning power station.

•Low-calcium fly ash can be successfully

used in geopolymer concrete when it
consists of silicon and aluminum oxides
about 80% by mass.

•Iron
oxide content usually range from 10 to
20% by mass.

•Calcium oxide content must be less than 5%.

 Alkaline liquid is a combination of sodium silicate solution and
sodium hydroxide solution.
 Alkaline liquid should to prepared by mixing both the solution
together at least 24 hours prior to use.

superplasticizer

 Naphthalene based superplasticizer is used.

 Superplasticizer are used to improve the workability.
 Mixing and compaction of Geopolymer concrete

 The fly ash and the aggregates are mixed together for 3 min.

 The alkaline liquid was mixed with super plasticiser.

 The fresh concrete can be handled up to 120 min.

 The fresh concrete can cast and compacted by the usual method used in
the case of portland cement concrete.
Pan Mixer Used in the Manufacture of Geopolymer Concrete
Addition of Liquid Component
Fresh Geopolymer Concrete Ready for Placing
Slump Measurement of Fresh Geopolymer Concrete
 Curing of geopolymer concrete

 Heat-curing is generally recommended.

 Heat curing substantially assists the chemical reaction

in the geopolymer paste.

 Heat curing is done at the temperature of 60 degree C

for 24 hours. Then air curing is continued for 28 days at
the temperature of 23-25 degree C.

 Both curing time and curing temperature influence the

compressive strength.
 Factors affecting the compressive strength

(a) Longer curing time improves the polymerisation

reaction resulting in higher compressive strength.

(b) Use of superplasticizer upto 2% by mass of fly ash

will not affect the compressive strength.

(c) The liquid to fly ash ratio by mass must be 0.35.

(d) Compressive strength does not varies with the age

of concrete.
 Sulphate resistance

 When the fly ash-based GPC specimens were soaked in

5% concentration of sodium sulphate solution it has
been observed that there is no damage to the surface of
specimens.

 It was found that after 24 weeks exposure, GPC did not

show any sign of sulphate attack or degradation in
compressive strength and other properties.
 ADVANTAGES

 Reduce the emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

 The cost of fly ash is low.

 Econamic

 Sulphate resistance.
 Application

 Geopolymer concrete are used in the manufacture of precast

railway sleeper, sewer pipes, wall panels etc.

 Geopolymer concrete are used in marine structure.

 Conclusion:

 Geopolymer concrete is good alternative to portland cement concrete.

 Reduces the emission of CO2 to the atmosphere from cement industries.

 Fly ash –based geopolymer concrete shows excellent resistance to

sulfate attack and good acid resistance therefore it is used in
marine structure.
 References:

 Davidovits, J (1988) "Soft Mineralogy and Geopolymers",

Proceedings of the of Geopolymer 88 International Conference,
the Université de Technologie, Compiègne, France.

 Davidovits, J (1994) "High-Alkali Cements for 21st Century

Concretes. in Concrete Technology, Past, Present and Future”