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2018 1 International Scientific Conference of Engineering Sciences - 3 Scientific Conference of Engineering Science (ISCES)
Mechanical Properties and Thermal Conductivity of
Lightweight Geopolymer Concrete
Wasan Ismail Khalil Waleed A. Abbas
Building and Construction Engineering Building and Construction Engineering
Department, University of Technology Department, University of Technology
Baghdad, Iraq Baghdad, Iraq
wasan1959@yahoo.com waleedalqaisi@yahoo.com
Abstract- Geopolymer concrete can be considered as the key
factor which does not utilize Portland cement, nor releases green
house gases. With the increasing use of lightweight concrete in
precast products for construction, there is a need for a better
production of new lightweight concrete that has more
effectively design and optimize the characteristics of precast
products. It has been found in this investigation that locally
artificial lightweight aggregate can be used to produce
lightweight fly ash geopolymer concrete. Four concrete mixtures
were prepared with artificial coarse lightweight aggregate and
different contents of artificial lightweight fine aggregate (25, 50,
75 and 100%) as a volumetric replacement to natural normal
weight fine aggregate (sand); in addition to reference
lightweight geopolymer concrete (LWGPC) containing natural
normal weight fine aggregate. Properties of lightweight
geopolymer concrete including, compressive strength, flexural
strength, splitting tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and
ultrasonic pulse velocity were investigated. The results show that
the replacement of natural normal weight fine aggregate by 25,
50, 75 and 100% artificial fine lightweight aggregate leads to a
decrease in compressive strength relative to the reference
LWGPC at 28 day age, the compressive strength is 32.60, 30.73,
30.56, and 28.73 MPa, beside it has a low thermal conductivity of
0.925, 0.825, 0.658, and 0.620 W/m.K respectively which remains
the concrete ideal for structural requirements.
Index Terms_ Lightweight geopolymer concrete, Artificial local
lightweight aggregate, Fly ash, Thermal conductivity.
I. INTRODUCTION
Lightweight concrete (LWC) has been widely, used in
buildings as masonry blocks, wall panels, roof deck precast
concrete units [1]. Lightweight concretes, can be produced
with an oven dry density range of approximately 300–2000
kg/m3, with corresponding cube compressive strengths from
approximately 1 to over 60 MPa and thermal conductivities
of 0.2–1.0 W/m.K[2]. The reduction in the dead weight of
buildings by the use of LWC could results in a decrease in the
cross section of steel reinforced, columns, beams, plates and
foundations[3]. Moreover, the heat insulation of structural
LWC is approximately twice that of ordinary concrete.
Therefore, for equal, thickness of a wall, less heating, or
cooling is required in buildings with LWC[4]. The term
geopolymer was defined by Davidovits in 1978 to represent, a
broad range of materials characterized by chains of inorganic
molecules[5]. It was found that the fly ash or slag is used to
978-1-5386-1498-3/ 18/31.00$©2018 IEEE
175
Ibtesam F. Nasser
Institute of Technology, The Middle
Technical University
Baghdad, Iraq
ibtesamhabbaba@yahoo.com
provide a source of silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al), which is
dissolved in an alkaline activating solution which
polymerizes into molecular chains and networks to create the
hardened binder,,[6].
The production of geopolymers is now well accepted because it
involves fewer emissions of CO2. Geopolymers are produced
by; mixing alkaline solution usually containing mixture of
sodium silicate solution (Na2SiO3) is more environmental
friendly. The manufacturing of geopolymers emits an average
five times lesser CO2 than that of ordinary Portland
cement[7]. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with a solid
alumino silicate source such as fly ash, clay, metakaolin or
blast furnace slag forming an alumino silicate gel phase[8].
The reaction for formation alumino silicate gel is known as
geopolymerisation. Many researchers have agreed that the
geopolymerisation process may occur in, three main stages:
(1) Dissolution of species from the source material;
(2)Transportation of species; and, (3) Condensation, forming a
three-dimensional network of silicon-aluminates [9],[10]. As
the construction industry is considered to be one of the fastest
growing industries, reducing, the heat loss in buildings by
increasing its thermal insulation properties is very important,
as it would enable energy efficient buildings and improve
environmental sustainability. In addition, the use of industrial
waste would be an added advantage. The use of geopolymer
technology not only substantially reduces the CO2 emissions
by the cement industry, but also utilizes waste materials, such
as fly ash (FA)[11]. Low-calcium (ASTM Class-F) fly ash is
preferred as a source material more than high calcium (ASTM
Class-C) fly ash, since the presence of a high amount of
calcium interferes with the polymerization process and alters
the microstructure[12].
II. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
Many researches discussed the mechanical properties of
geopolymer concrete (GPC) and highlighted this material as
an alternative material to cement concrete. Very little works
were carried out on some properties of lightweight aggregate
geopolymer concrete (LWAGPC). In this investigation high
strength LWAGPC using local artificial coarse lightweight
aggregate and fly ash (FA) with compressive strength of 36
MPa at 28 day and dry density of 1835 kg/m3 was produced.
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2018 1 International Scientific Conference of Engineering Sciences - 3 Scientific Conference of Engineering Science (ISCES)
Different contents of local artificial fine lightweight
aggregate were then used as a volumetric replacement to
natural normal weight fine aggregate (sand). Properties of
concrete including, compressive strength, splitting tensile
strength, flexural strength, oven dry density (ODD), non-
destructive ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and thermal
conductivity were studied. The beneficial consequence, of
producing high strength lightweight geopolymer concrete is
to reduce the dead load and improves thermal insulation
properties of buildings, which make this method future
construction alternative.
III. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
A. Materials
1. Fly Ash: The Fly ash used is recovered as a result of coal
combustion during the production of electricity from
ISKENment-Turkey power station. It is a fine and glassy
powder. The results indicate that the fly ash adopted
satisfies the requirements of ASTM C 618, 2005. The
chemical composition of fly ash used in this investigation is
presented in Table (I). The fly ash has a specific gravity of
2.33.
2. The Alkali-Activated Solutions: The alkali-activated
solution used was a combination of sodium silicate
(Na2SiO3) solution and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution
to form the binder between the aggregates and other un
reacted materials in the geopolymer concrete. Sodium
hydroxide in the form of flakes (NaOH with 98 % purity),
and sodium silicate solution was manufactured in United
Arab Emirates [Na2O = 13.0 %, SiO2 = 32.0 % and density
= 1.5 g/ml at 20°C, silicate viscosity (CPS) 20°C was 600]
were used in this study. The molarity is defined as the
number of moles of solute per liter of solution. In order to
prepare the solution of 1M, 40 g of NaOH flake (molecular
weight of NaOH = 40) was dissolved in one liter of distilled
water. In this study, different molar concentrations were
used depending on the ratio of caustic soda flakes to water
until the optimum molarity was found. The solution was
prepared a day before it mixed with sodium silicate in order
to be cool, then it was mixed with, sodium silicate.
TABLE I: CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF FLY ASH
Oxide Content, (%)
SiO2 59.56
Al2O3 29.33
Fe2O3 3.36
CaO 2.20
MgO 0.66
SO3 0.67
Na2O 0.21
K2O 2.24
L.O.I 2.77
solution in a weight, proportion of (1:2.5) (sodium hydroxide:
sodium silicate) just before the casting of the specimens, then
it was mixed with the fly ash.
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3. Fine Aggregate: Al-Ekhaider natural normal weight sand
with maximum size of 4.75 mm was used as fine aggregate.
Its gradation lies in zone (2). The results show that sand
grading; physical properties, and sulphate content were
within the requirements of the Iraqi Specification
No.45/1984.,Its absorption, specific gravity, density, and
sulphate content are 1.8 %, 2.6, 1670 kg/m3, and 0.12%
respectively. Also artificial lightweight fine aggregate
produced from grinding process of the artificial coarse
lightweight aggregate was used as volumetric replacement to
natural, normal weight fine aggregate in several contents
(25%, 50%, 75%, and 100 %). It was prepared with the same
grading of the used natural normal weight sand.
4. Coarse Aggregate: Locally manufactured artificial
lightweight aggregate using Bentonite clay and water glass
(sodium silicate ) was, used as a coarse lightweight
aggregate[13]. The manufacturing method of LWA
including four major steps, the raw materials preparation,
mixing of raw materials in adequate ratios, firing the mixture
to a proper temperature and, finally the cooling process. The
fired clayey balls were crushed manually to smaller size by
means of a hammer, and then screened on standard sieve
series in order to prepare coarse lightweight aggregate with
grading which conforms to ASTM C 330 Specifications.
The major steps for producing the artificial LWA are shown
in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 Preparing the aggregate
5. Admixtures: A high-range water reducing admixture
DARACEM 19CFMQ was used. This type of
superplasticizer is liquid based sulphonated naphthalene
and complies with the ASTMC494-2005 Type F.
6. Water: The water used in mixing geopolymer concrete is
potable water from the water supply network system. It
was free from organic materials and suspended solids.
B. Mixing, Casting, and Curing of Lightweight
Geopolymer Concrete
Lightweight aggregates and natural sand were dampened
for 24 hours and then air-dried for another 24 hours to
simulate the saturated surface dried-state. The coarse and
fine aggregates were mixed in the rotary drum mixer for
about 3 minutes, followed by the addition of the binder
(FA) and mixing for another 5 minutes.
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The alkaline solution (sodium silicate and the sodium 8. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test : According to the
hydroxide solutions) were kept at room temperature for at ASTM C597[22].
least 24 hours before mixing with concrete, then it was 9. Thermal conductivity test: According to BS. 874[23].
added to the mixture and mixed for not less than two 10. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM): Scanning
minutes[14]. After the initial slump was tested, each mix Electronic Microscopy apparatus TESCAN VEGA III
was poured into various standard steel molds to measure its was used for this test. Geopolymer concrete specimens
properties. The concrete was poured into the molds in were dried in an oven at 60°C for 7 days, then these
layers according to the standard Specifications of each test specimens were impressed in a low viscosity epoxy
and compacted to remove the entrapped air with standard resin.
compaction rod or vibrating table. Immediately after
casting, the specimens were covered using plastic film to IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
reduce water loss. Specimens were kept in ambient
A. Fresh Properties
condition for 24 hours, after that the specimens were
demolded and cured in an oven for 48 hours at 90ᵒC. The 1. Workability and Fresh Density: Fly ash has a hollow and
specimens were taken out of the oven and kept at ambient spherical shape particles with smooth surface texture that
condition with an average temperature of 28°C till the time leads to increase the workability[24]. Fly ash geopolymer
of testing. The procedure of mixing has a major effect on concrete prepared in this investigation has a good
the workability and strength of geopolymer concrete. workability with slump value of 245 mm and fresh density
of 1951 kg/m3 for the reference mix (MR), while GPC
C. Concrete Mixes mixes contain different contents of artificial fine
Many trials mixes were carried out using trial and error lightweight aggregate show lower workability than the
method to select the reference LWGPC mix (MR)[15]. Then reference mix, also the fresh density is reduced. This is
four mixes were prepared using different contents (25, 50, because of the lower specific gravity of the artificial
75 and 100%) of artificial lightweight fine aggregate as a lightweight fine aggregate, which causes a reduction in
volumetric replacement to natural normal weight fine fresh density, as presented in Table II.
aggregate, Table (III) shows the details of LWGPC mixes.
TABLE II : THE EFFECT OF FINE LWA ON THE WORKABILITY AND
D. Experimental Tests
DENSITY OF LWGPC
Several tests were carried out in this investigation including:
Oven dry
Mix Slump Fresh density
density
1. Slump test: According to ASTM C143[16]. designation (mm) (kg/m3)
(kg/m3)
2. Fresh density test: According to ASTM C138 [17]. MR 245 1910 1835
3. Compressive strength test: According to BS. 1881: Part
116[18]. MF25 210 1860 1780
4. Splitting tensile strength test: According to ASTM 496 MF50 175 1810 1725
[19].
MF75 130 1755 1680
5. Flexural strength test: According to ASTM C78[20].
6. Water absorption test: Conducted according to ASTM MF100 90 1725 1640
C642 [21].
7. Dry density test: According to ASTM C642 [21].

TABLE III: DETAILS OF LWGPC MIXEs

Mix Fine LWA Fa Mix proportion Sand Fine LWA NaOH

A/Fa W/Fa
designation content (kg) Fa: FA: LWA (kg) (kg) molarity
MR 0 500 1: 1.50 :1.10 750 0 0.4 0.35 16

MF25 25 500 1: 1.50 :1.10 563 124 0.4 0.36 16

MF50 50 500 1: 1.50 :1.10 375 248 0.4 0.37 16

MF75 75 500 1: 1.50 :1.10 188 371 0.4 0.38 16

MF100 100 500 1: 1.50 :1.10 0 495 0.4 0.39 16

Note 1: Mix proportion by weight, Fa= fly ash, FA= fine aggregate, LWA=lightweight aggregate, A= activator, W= water.
Note 2: curing temperature = 90 ºC for 48 hours, superplasticizer dosage =1.9% by weight of fly ash, sodium silicate: sodium hydroxide solutions = 2.5 for all trial mixes.

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B. Hardened Properties suitable workability and, hence, fly ash paste will have high
capillary porosity and it will contain a relatively large
1. Oven-Dry Density: The oven-dry density for reference fly
number of large pores.
ash geopolymer concrete (MR) is 1835 (kg/m3), thus it
satisfies the requirements of lightweight concrete. Table II MR MF25 MF50
illustrates a decrease in oven dry density for LWGPC with MF75 MF100

Compressive strengh
different contents of artificial lightweight fine aggregate
compared to that containing sand (MR). This is due to the

( MPa)
low density of the artificial lightweight fine aggregate. The
dry density of LWGPC with 100% artificial lightweight
fine aggregate is 1640 kg/m3.
2. Compressive Strength and Ultra Sonic Pulse Velocity: The Age ( days )
compressive strength of geopolymer lightweight concrete at
7, 28 and 56 day are shown in Fig. (2). Generally, the
compressive strength increases with age, the percentages
increase are 9.5 % and 12 % at 28 and 56 day age relative Fig. 2 Relationship between the compressive strength and age of LWGPC
to that at 7 days age for MR mix. Other mixes appear to with different contents of fine LWA
have the same behaviour with age. The increase in fine
LAW content leading to a decrease in the compressive
TABLE IV: ULTRA SONIC VELOCITY OF LWGPC WITH DIFFERENT
strength of LWGPC due to the decrease in density and the CONTENTS OF FINE LWA
strength of LWA used. The percentages reduction for
LWGPC with 100% fine LWA at 7, 28, and 56 day age are 7 days 28 day 56 day
23.8, 19.75, and 20.7% respectively compared to the Mix
Pulse
designation Pulse velocity Pulse velocity
reference LWGPC specimens (MR). The ultrasonic pulse velocity
(km/sec) (km/sec)
(km/sec)
velocity show the same trend of compressive strength as
shown in Table IV. MR 4.15 4.27 4.35
MF25 4.0 4.0 4.10
3. Splitting Tensile Strength: The splitting tensile strength of
LWGPC at 7, 28 and 56 day is presented in Fig. (3). The MF50 3.9 3.9 4.0
splitting tensile strength increases with age, the percentages MF75 3.8 3.9 3.9
increase are 16 % and 27 % at 28 and 56 day age relative to
that at 7 days age for MR mix. Other mixes appear to have MF100 3.6 3.8 3.9
the same behaviour with age. The increase in fine LWA
content leads to a decrease in the splitting tensile strength
of lightweight geopolymer concrete for the same reasons 6. Thermal Conductivity: Thermal conductivity of reference
explained in compressive strength. LWGPC (MR) without artificial lightweight fine aggregate
is 0.9567 W/(m. K). Thermal conductivity of normal
4. Flexural Strength: The flexural strength of LWGPC
weight concrete is in the range of 1.98 - 2.94 W/(m. K)
increases with age, as shown in Fig. (4). The percentages
depending on type of aggregate used[26]. The low thermal
increase are 19.5% and 22% at 28 and 56 day age relative
conductivity of LWGPC is attributed to the presence of
to that at 7 days age for the reference mix (MR). As the
pores in both artificial LWA, and to the cellular nature of
content of artificial lightweight fine aggregate increased,
GPC. Thermal conductivity decreases as the content of
the flexural strength decreases for the same reasons
artificial fine LWA increases compared with that for
explained in compressive strength.
reference specimens (MR), as illustrated in Table (V).
5. Water Absorption: The water absorption was conducted at
7. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM): A part of fracture
different ages (7, 14, 28 and 56 day). Water absorption
surface, of concrete specimen was prepared for this test.
decreases with age as shown in Fig. (5), this is due to
Many microstructure, photographs for reference, LWGPC
geopolymerazation process that the products fill the pores
specimens and LWGPC specimens containing 100%
in the structure of fly ash geopolymer concrete with time.
artificial fine LWA were obtained. The SEM images shown
For all investigated ages, absorption values were less than
in Figures (6) and (7) illustrate that the geopolymer matrix
10 percent. According to Neville [25], most good concretes
is not homogenous and unreacted fly ash particles were
have an absorption value below 10 percent by mass. The
observed. The needle shaped crystals of the gel are also
results show that water absorption increases as the content
seen in Fig. (6). Fly ash based geopolymer has exhibits a
of artificial lightweight fine aggregate increased. This
high density of pores or air bubbles and microsphere
behaviour is attributed to the higher and rapid absorption of
(originated from fly ash grains) are surrounded by a crust of
fine lightweight aggregate compared with natural sand. On
reaction products. The crust adhere to the sphere is not very
the other hand, the use of artificial lightweight fine
strong. The samples also contained microcracks that
aggregate leads to higher water/ fly ash ratio to have a

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resulted when water evaporated during the curing and aging TABLE V: THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF LWGPC
processes.
Mix
Thermal conductivity (W/m.K)
designation
MR MF25 MF50 MR 0.9567
MF75 MF100 0.9251
MF 25
3
MF 50 0.8251
Splitting Tensile strengh Mpa

2.5 MF75 0.6588

MF100 0.620
2

1.5
7 days 28 day 56 day
Age in days

Fig.3 Relationship between splitting tensile strength and age of LWGPC

with different contents of fine LWA

MF100 MF75 MF50

MF25 MR
6 Fig. 6 SEM images for reference LWGPC
Flexural strengh (MPa)

3
7 28 56
Age (days)

Fig. 4 The effect of fine LWA content on the flexural strength of LWGPC

MR MF25% MF50%

10 MF75% MF100%
Water absorption (%)

Fig. 7 SEM images for LWGPC containing 100% artificial fine LWA

8 V. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the experimental results of this investigation, the
main findings are as follows:
6 1. LWGPC with dry density of about 1835 kg/m3 can be
7 14 28 56 produced using coarse artificial LWA; the use of fine
Age in days
artificial LWA in several percentages (25, 50, 75, and
100%) causes a reduction in dry density of LWGPC.
Fig. 5 The effect of fine LWA content and age on the absorption of
LWGPC 2. Early age strength development was noticed for all
LWGPC.
3. LWGPC requires special attention in curing as the loss of
water and heat curing would result in strength increase.
4. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and
flexural strength of LWGPC containing fine LWA are
reduce as the content of fine LWA increased. The

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percentages reduction at 28 day age are 19.75, 16.6, and
17.6 % respectively for LWGPC with 100% fine LWA
relative to reference LWGPC specimens (containing
sand).
5. The water absorption of the produced LWGPC is low, so
this type of concrete has good durability.
6. The low unit weight and thermal conductivity combined
with the ability to cast in any desired shape enable this
structural lightweight concrete to be suitable material for
casting different thermal insulated structural members
and masonry unites.
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