High-Strength Geopolymer Mortar Using Slag Activated with Silica-Fume

The reaction between alumino-silicate compounds and alkali solution creates a geopolymer with a good binding property. In recent decades, much research on geopolymer materials has approved their good mechanical and durability properties. Therefore, geopolymer was expected as a replacement for cement production which became responsible for polluting the atmosphere with the emission of greenhouse gases. This study tested experiments on high-strength geopolymer mortar using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as the main alumino-silicate resource and silica-fume (SF) added as 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of the total binder under various curing conditions. Two types of sand (0.14 mm–0.315 mm and 0.315 mm–0.63 mm) were used as aggregate to produce mortar for testing the workability and the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar. The results showed that samples using sand with a size of 0.315 mm–0.63 mm and 5% silica fume under oven curing samples give higher workability and compressive strength.