INTERNATIONAL

International JOURNAL
Journal of Civil Engineering and OF CIVIL(IJCIET),
Technology ENGINEERING AND(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6308
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), VolumeTECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)
6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print) IJCIET

ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online)
Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/Ijciet.asp
©IAEME
Journal Impact Factor (2015): 9.1215 (Calculated by GISI)
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EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON COMPRESSIVE

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY PROPERTIES
OFGEOPOLYMER CONCRETE INCORPORATING WITH
NANO SILICA

Yagnesh Patel1, Dr. Indrajit N Patel2, Mrs. Jagruti Shah3

1
Structural Engineering Department, BVM Engineering College,
Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India,
2
Structural Engineering Department, BVM Engineering College,
Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India,
3
OSD, Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat,

ABSTRACT

Global warming has emerged today as life-threatening issue for the world. As concrete is one
the most consumed material after water on the earth for infrastructure & construction industries, a
commendable contribution cam be made by optimizing the use of cement and natural resources in
concrete manufacturing. Geopolymer concrete is one of the major developments in recent years
leading to utilization of fly ash in large quantities and thus reducing cement consumption and
ultimately reducing emission of CO2 in order of one tonne per a tonne of cement. Mechanical
&Durability properties of concrete structure is another important parameter affecting the
sustainability of concrete technology in addition to minimizing use of virgin material. Experimental
investigation has been taken up on low calcium fly ash based Geopolymer concrete having three
different molar concentration of activator liquids along with different percentage of Nano silica
addition. The investigations have been done by observing the compressive strength, % weight loss
and % loss of compressive strength. Nano materials have many advantages due to its surface area.
This paper presents the effect of addition of different proportion of Nano silica in the low calcium fly
ash based Geopolymer concrete.

Keywords: Alkaline Solution, Compressive Strength, Durability, Fly Ash, Geopolymer Concrete,
Molarity, Nano Silica

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

1. INTRODUCTION

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction material. Ordinary Portland cement is
conventionally used as primary binder to produce concrete. The environmental issue associated with
the production of OPC is well known.
known The climate change due to global warming has become a
major concern. This all brings up a very new question: Is therethere a cleaner, most efficient, more
reliable and even stronger substitute to the concrete that is currently used? The answer is
Geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer technology shows considerable promise for application in
concrete industry as an alternative binder to the Portland cement. Geopolymer concrete is concrete
which does not utilize any Portland cement in its production. It is cement less concrete. It is
manufactured using source materials that are rich in silica and alumina. Low calcium (ASTM Class
F) fly ash is preferred as a source material than high calcium (ASTM Class C) fly ash. The
development of Geopolymer concrete can provide a solution to produce greener concrete for
sustainable development. It is a highly environment friendly concrete.
c Figure 1 shows ingredient of
Geopolymer concrete

Fig. 1: Ingredient of Geopolymer concrete

Nano Material concrete is new generation concrete formed of materials of the grain size of
Nano scale and they are Very fine in nature. Nano Materials significantly decreased the size and
amount of CH crystals and the early age strength of hardened cement paste is increased. Among
various manufactured Nano particles Nano silica (NS) has recently been introduced as an advanced
pozzolan to improve the microstructure
ostructure and stability of cement-based
cement based system.The
system basic concept
behind using Nano Material which is having large surface area is to improve compressive strength at
early ages, improved hydration characteristics and reduced porosity and water absorption whenw
compared with conventional cementitious material.

2. OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of NS on Geopolymer concrete. The
main parameters observed are compressive strength and durability.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

3. EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY

3.1Materials
3.1.1 Fly ash
In the experimental study, low-calcium class F type fly ash is used as shown in Figure
2.Class F fly ash provides good pozzolanic activity and it contains less than 10% of lime (CaO).
Following Table 1 provides chemical composition of fly ash used in the present study.

Fig. 2: Fly ash

Table 1: Composition of fly ash

Composition Content (% by mass) Specification as per IS 3812-1981

SiO2 55 SiO2 > 35%

Al2O3 22 Total > 70%
Fe2O3 5
CaO 5-7 -
MgO 3 < 5%
LOI 2 < 12 %
(Source: Sicart Laboratory, V.V.Nagar)

3.1.2 Aggregates
Coarse aggregates of sizes 20mm and 10mm and fine aggregate taken from a local supplier
are used in the present study and they have the properties as given in Table 2.

Table 2: Properties of Aggregate

Physical Coarse aggregate Fine aggregate
Properties CA-1 CA-2 FA (Sand)
Type Crushed Crushed River sand
Maximum size 20 mm 10 mm 4.75 mm
Specific gravity 2.64 2.63 2.56
Fineness modulus 7.06 5.83 2.95
(Source: Sicart Laboratory, V.V.Nagar)

3.1.3Alkaline liquid
Alkaline solution play most important role in geopolymerization process. In the present
experimental work, a combination of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
solution with molarities 8M, 12M and 16M was chosen. The sodium hydroxide solution was
prepared in the laboratory by dissolving sodium hydroxide pellets in water. The sodium silicate and

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

sodium hydroxide solution were mixed together at least one day prior to use because at the time of
mixing of Na2SiO3 with NaOH solution it generates a huge amount of heat due to polymerization
process.

3.1.4 Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Sodium hydroxide is available commercially in flakes or pellets form. The concentration of
sodium hydroxide solution measured in terms of molarity. Table 3 shows mass of solid for different
molarity and Table 4 shows properties of NaOH.

Table 3: Mass of NaOH for 97% Purity

MOLARITY Mass of NaOH Solids (gm)
8M 260
10M 314
12M 361
14M 404
16M 444

Table 4: Properties of NaOH

Molar mass 40 gm/mol
Appearance White solid
Density 2.1 gr/cc
Specific gravity 2.130 gm/cc

Source: Sicart Laboratory, V.V. Nagar

3.1.5 Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3)

The most common alkaline liquid used in geopolymerization is a combination of Sodium
hydroxide or Potassium hydroxide and Sodium silicate or Potassium silicate. The properties of used
Na2SiO3are as in Table 5 and Figure 3shows sodium silicate.

Table 5: Properties of Sodium silicate

Specific gravity 1.720
Na2O ( by mass ) 19.81%
SiO2 ( by mass ) 36.19%
Weight of solids ( by mass ) 56%
Water ( by mass ) 44%
Weight ratio (SiO2 to Na2O) 1.8268
(Source: Sicart Laboratory, V.V.Nagar)

Fig. 3: Sodium silicate

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

3.1.6 Nano silica

Table 6 shows properties of Nano silica and Figure 4 shows Nano silica

Table 6: Properties of Nano silica

Properties Unit Typical value
Specific Surface Area m2/g 200 ± 25
Average Primary Particle Size nm 12
Tamped Density g/l approx.50
Moisture 2 hours at 105°c wt.% < 1.5
Ignition loss 2 hours at 1000°c based on
material dried for 2 hours at 105°c wt.% < 1.0
PH in 4% dispersion 3.4 – 4.7
SiO2- Content based on ignited material wt.% > 99.8
(Source: Sicart Laboratory, V.V.Nagar)

Fig. 4: Nano silica

3.1.7 Super Plasticizer

A super plasticizer is used to improve the workability of fresh Geopolymer concrete. The
dosage of super plasticizer also has an effect on the compressive strength of concrete. It also gives
good surface finish and reduces setting time.

3.1.8 Extra Water

Extra water is added 10% of fly ash by mass or according to workability required.

3.2 MIX DESIGN

From the different trial mixes, this concrete mix design is been adopted for experimental purpose.
• Sodium hydroxide solution to sodium silicate ratio fixed as 2.5.
• Curing was carried in oven, curing at 60°C for 24 hrs.
• Water to Geopolymer solid ratios (W/GPS) are 0.27, 0.26 and 0.25 for mixes having molar
concentration 8M, 12M and 16M respectively.

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ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

Alkaline
Liquid/ fly Fine Coarse Chem.
Mix Fly ash NaOH Na2SiO3 Water
ash Aggregates Aggregates Admix.

Kg/m3 Kg/m3 Kg/m3 Kg/m3 20mm 10mm Kg/m3 Kg/m3

G30 0.45 380.689 48.945 122.364 554.4 776.16 518.64 38.0689 3.80

4. EXPERIMENT RESULTS

4.1 Compressive Strength

The result of compressive
pressive strength and durability for
for different percentage of NS contents
(0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) with Molar concentration (8 M, 12 M and 16 M) are shown for G30 grade
of concrete.

Fig. 5: Compressive strength for 28 days

It is observed that compressive strength increases with increase in percentage of NS but there
is no significant change observed in the compressive strength for 12 M and 16 M as in fig. 5.

4.2 Durability
In durability test all concrete cubes were cured for a 28 days and later cubes were immersed
in sodium chloride solution having 3.5% Nacl(Sea
Nacl Water) for 28 and 56 days. The % weight loss and
% loss of compressive strength were analyzed.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

Fig. 6: % Weight loss for 28 days Fig. 7: % Weight loss for 56 days

The percentage weight loss majorly decreases with increase in molarity but negligible
decrease with increase in percentage of NS. The more percentage weight loss was
wa observed for 8M
compared to 12M & 16M as in fig. 6 & 7.

Fig.8: % loss of compressive strength 28 days Fig.9: % loss of compressive strength for 56 days

he percentage loss of compressive strength for 28 & 56 days from which it is observed that
The
the percentage loss of compressive strength decreases with increase in molar concentration and
negligible decreased with increase in percentage of NS as in fig 8 & 9.. The more percentage loss of
compressive strength was observed for 8M compared with 12M & 16M. 16M

5. RESULT ANALYSIS

The important findings of the experimental study

st are as follows.
1) Experimental result showed that the t compressive strength of low calcium fly ash based
Geopolymer concrete was increased with increase in percentage of Nano silica in a mix.
2) The compressive strength of GPC specimens with 12M having 1.5% NS is 1.20 times more
than GPC specimens with 8M having 1.5% NS but marginal increase with 16M having 1.5%
NS for 28 days.
3) GPC samples made with 16M concentration can produce unpredictable and unreliable results,
and therefore the concentration of NaOH used
used is recommended to be a maximum of 12M.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 5, May (2015), pp. 135-143 © IAEME

4) Molar concentration of sodium hydroxide solution, during lab investigation, 16M NaOH
solution is more risky to handle than 12M solution and also the chances of solidification of
alkaline activator are more with 16M solution than 12M. Hence 12M NaOH solutions
aregenerally recommended for development of Geopolymer concrete.
5) The strength of Geopolymer concrete made with 12M concentration is slightly less than that of
16M concentration.
6) In durability test, Loss of weight due to chloride effect is decreased with increase in molarity
and also minor decrease with increase in percent in percentage of nano silica.
7) There is no damage to the surface of test specimens after exposure to sodium chloride up to 56
days.
8) Heat cured Geopolymer concrete has an excellent resistance to chloride attack. This proves
Geopolymer concrete can be used in sea water area.
9) Nano silica shows impact on compressive strength and durability properties of Geopolymer
concrete.

6. CONCLUSION

With the elimination of the use of Portland cement, the emission of CO2 has been greatly
reduced which results in the reduction of Environmental pollution. The reduced CO2 emissions of
GPC make them a good alternative to OPC. Geopolymer concrete is more environments friendly; it
has the potential to replace ordinary Portland cement concrete and due to high early strength it shall
be effectively used in the precast industries. Due to use of the industrial waste, Geopolymer concrete
is an economical product and it also affects the cost of Geopolymer concrete. Addition of
supplementary materials like Nano silica can enhance the properties of GPC.

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