Evaluation of Strength and Durability Parameters of Geopolymer Concrete
摘要
Geopolymer cement concrete (GPCC) is a class of non-Portland cement-based eco-friendly concretes synthesized using industrial by-products such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash (FA), and hydroxide-silicate-based activators. The durability of conventional reinforced concrete structures is mainly threatened by different forms of reinforcement and concrete corrosion by electrochemical and chemical mechanisms. The extent of concrete corrosion depends primarily on the characteristics of the external medium, exposure condition, microstructure, microclimate, and age of the concrete. Six GPCC mixes are synthesized from fly ash and GGBS in various proportions of GGBS (ranging from 25 to 75%) along with flyash (25–75%). The mix composition of GPCC including that of the alkaline activator solution was determined by extensive trials to achieve a cohesive mix with a slump of about 100 mm and sufficient working time for casting operations. Tests were carried out to determine the compressive strength, water absorption, chloride permeability, and diffusion resistance besides the ability of reinforced GPCC specimens to resist accelerated corrosion under impressed voltage. Resistance to highly corrosive acids such as sulphuric acid was also investigated. The test data indicates that GPCCs are less permeable to chlorides and highly resistant to sulphuric acid. The GPCCs are also found to match and sometimes exceed the resistance of normal ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) to chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion.