Back to Search Start Over

Microstructural Properties of Alkali-Activated Metakaolin and Bottom Ash Geopolymer

Authors :
M. Logesh Kumar
V. Revathi
Source :
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering. 45:4235-4246
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2020.

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the use of alkali-activated metakaolin (MK) and Bottom Ash (BA) blend in geopolymer concrete. A preliminary attempt was made on alkali-activated metakaolin and bottom ash-based geopolymer (MK–BA-GPM) mortar with river sand as fine aggregate to find a suitable mix to produce geopolymer concrete (GPC). The liquid alkaline activator is a combination of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solution. The molarity of NaOH was 8 M. Molar ratio of Na2O and SiO2 was 2, and ambient curing mode was selected. Also, M30 grade control concrete was made using OPC and cured in water. Further, GPC and control concrete specimens were tested for compressive strength, split tensile, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. Also, XRD, SEM and EDAX studies were carried out to analyse element/mineral compounds present and the microstructure and morphological characteristics of GPC to substantiate the strength development. MK–BA GPC demonstrated 49% higher compressive strength than that of control concrete at 28 days. More so, the early as well as later strength gain of GPC was remarkably higher than that of OPC. Strength was due to densification of microstructure over a period of time and due to the formation of additional crystalline phases in geopolymer concrete.

Details

ISSN :
21914281 and 2193567X
Volume :
45
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........850fa1e63d862b566a8cd87b9d805fc4
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04417-6