World Journal of Engineering Research and Technology

*Mushreef Ladkhan, Drishya Subramanian and Manojkumar Chitawadagi

ABSTRACT

Geopolymer concrete is an emerging material in the field of sustainable construction. This material is alkali-activated aluminosilicate having little environmental impact as industrial by- products are utilized. Geopolymer concrete has previously displayed better performance properties. However, its extensive use in the construction industry seems to be hindered because of multiple factors and particularly due to lack of long term behavioural data and practical issues like poor workability. Working on resolving this issue, the proposed research aims to study the microstructure of GGBS and metakaolin based geopolymer concrete by varying concentrations of alkaline NaOH solution (8M,12M and 16M). Keen attention is paid to understand correlation of binding product formation with some of the mechanical properties of the concrete also the effect of use of superplasticizer on geopolymer concrete is studied. The outcomes clearly indicate that the strength increases with the increase in concentration of NaOH solution. This is attributed to significant amount of geopolymerisation product formed due to easy dissolution of Al and Si ions in the mix. The study confirms there is substantial amount of increase in the geopolymerisation product with increase in curing period. Likewise, use of Naphthalene based superplasticizer has decreased the use of water. Yet, the slump values show no significant change.

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