Mechanical, microstructural, and durability performance of fly ash-GGBS geopolymer concrete incorporating rice husk ash and silica fume
摘要
This study investigates the mechanical properties, durability, and microstructure of fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) based geopolymer concrete (GPC) mixes, specifically for G40 and G60 grades. To improve performance, rice husk ash (RHA) and silica fume (SF) were partially substituted for fly ash. Although previous studies examined these mineral admixtures separately, their combined effect on multi-grade concrete has been rarely studied. Experimental results showed that mixes of RHA and SF increased compressive strength by up to 15% and split tensile strength by 12% compared to control mixes. Flexural strength also increased, especially in G60 grade mixes. Durability tests indicated up to 3.2% higher acid resistance, 5.4% greater sulfate resistance, and reduced chloride penetration. Sorptivity, water absorption, and permeable voids decreased by 15%, 12%, and 10%, respectively, indicating a denser matrix. SEM and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels, improving matrix integrity and microstructure. Additionally, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was developed to predict mechanical properties based on experimental data. The ANN demonstrated high prediction accuracy, with an R2 of 0.991, indicating a strong correlation between the predicted and actual strengths. Overall, using RHA and SF together in GPC significantly enhanced mechanical strength, durability, and structural performance. The findings support their use in high-performance, sustainable concrete suitable for demanding environmental conditions.