Mechanical Properties of Quaternary Blended Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

Over the past decade, Geopolymers were considered as a novel promising material for sustainable development in the construction industry. It is a well-known fact that to reduce the usage of OPC concrete, usage of alternative binders is mandatory. Past Literature reveals that Industrial wastes such as Fly ash, GGBS, Metakaolin and Rice husk ash were extensively used in geopolymer concrete in the form of combination of binary, ternary and quaternary blended concretes. However, there is a very little report was reported on binary and Ternary blended geopolymer concrete. The research work on Quaternary blended concrete using Fly ash, GGBS, metakaolin and Wollastonite was not reported so far. Geopolymer concrete is a novel substance involves various chemical compositions and reactions in a binding material. The research work focused upon on the mix design and mechanical characteristics of binary, Ternary and quaternary blended geopolymer concrete. Quaternary blended GPC is made up of four binding components namely Fly Ash, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, Metakaolin, and Wollastonite. The Binary blended GPC i.e. Fly Ash to GGBS ratio, geopolymer mix was 70:30. The ratios of Fly Ash: GGBS: Metakaolin for the ternary blended mix were 50:30:20& Fly Ash: GGBS: Metakaolin: Wollastonite for the quaternary geopolymer mixtures is 30:30:20:20 respectively. Wollastonite is a calcium metasilicate (CaSiO3) mineral. Sodium, when present in an alkaline solution alongside silicate and hydroxide, triggers the activation of the binding elements. The alkaline promoter (NaOH/Na2SiO3) ratio was set at 2.5, while the precise amount of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) had been maintained at 8M(Molarity). The present experimental investigation demonstrates that mechanical properties of GPC such as compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength for Quaternary blended Geopolymer concrete have outperformed the other two blends i.e. binary and ternary blended GPC due to the Wollastonite based quaternary binder.