PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH FOR FLY ASH-BASED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

(CLASS C & CLASS F)

GENERAL

Table 1.1 : Design mix performed for fly ash-based geopolymer by Albitar et al. (2015) in kg/m3
Sodium Sodium Additional w/b AA/W Compressive
Name Fly ash Fine agg Coarse agg
hydroxide silicate water ratio ratio strength (MPa)
Mixture 1 430.11 583.20 1172.23 63.83 95.75 85.05 0.57 1.88 33
Mixture 2 430.11 588.06 1195.56 63.18 94.77 79.22 0.55 2.00 38
Mixture 3 430.11 583.20 1182.95 63.83 95.75 74.11 0.54 2.20 43

Table 1.1 shows the design mix utilized by Albitar for bond study utilizing local fly ash in Australia. The design mixture was chosen
as a reference for this study since it utilized full replacement of conventional concrete with fly ash when a lot of studies utilizing
geopolymer blending to gain a higher strength. Although the blending could gain a higher strength, the feasibility and cost should be
considered since different sources could be found in different places. This study, instead, just focused on the material and structural
performances of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FABGC). In addition, water reducer or superplasticizer was also not considered
in this study so that it will not alter the original microstructure as the geopolymerization took place. The following section will discuss
the compressive strength for different type of Malaysia fly ash.

CLASS C FLY ASH

Table 1.2 : Proposed design for Class C fly ash-based geopolymer concrete according to Albitar et al. (2015) in kg/m3
Sodium Sodium Additional w/b AA/W Compressive
Name Fly ash Fine agg Coarse agg
hydroxide silicate water ratio ratio strength (MPa)
C-TC-100-7-1-a-14 430.11 583.20 1172.23 63.83 95.75 85.05 0.57 1.88 9.4
C-TC-100-14-1-a-14 430.11 583.20 1172.23 63.83 95.75 85.05 0.57 1.88 6.9
C-TC-100-28-1-a-14 430.11 583.20 1172.23 63.83 95.75 85.05 0.57 1.88 3.4
Based on Table 1.2, design mixture for Class C fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FABGC) was proposed according to Albitar in
studying the bond properties of fly ash, but using local Australian Class F fly ash. It was proposed to use the same design mixture for
Malaysia Class C fly ash. However, Mixture 1 was used for Class C fly ash because it has a very short setting time, to become
hardened. So, the design mixture with the highest water content was considered for a proper casting. The results for compressive
strength was shown on Table 1.2 after 7 to 28 days curing age, subjected to heat curing for 24 hours at 60°C.

The result shows as the curing age become longer, the strength of Class C FABGC become lower. This means that Malaysia
Class C FABGC is not suitable for structural application. However, in previous studies performed by Topark-Ngarm showed that
Thailand Class C FABGC performs very well depending on the concentration of the alkaline activator, where the highest strength
could reach 54.4 MPa. However, the performance is depending on the sources of the batch for coal to produce fly ash. It can be shown
that Malaysian Class C fly ash is still no capable to become green cement to fully substitute conventional concrete. If compared to
Albitar, the strengths are very different where the range of strength are from 33 to 43 MPa, but for Malaysia Class C fly ash, ranged
between 3.4 until 9.4 MPa only.

Table 1.3 : Performance of Class C fly ash-based geopolymer concrete based on alkaline activator in kg/m3

Curing time Molarity Compressive strength

Class w/b ratio AA/W ratio
(day) (M) (MPa)

C 0.57 1.88 7 12 5.5

C 0.57 1.88 14 12 6.6
C 0.57 1.88 28 12 6.6
C 0.57 1.88 7 14 2.8
C 0.57 1.88 14 14 2.6
C 0.57 1.88 28 14 3.3
 Concentration of Alkaline Activator Effect on

Compressive strength (MPa)

Compressive Strength for Class C Fly Ash
8
6
4
Alkaline Activator 12 M
2
Alkaline Activator 14 M
0
0 10 20 30
Curing age (days)

Figure 1.1 : Concentration comparison for Class C fly ash-based geopolymer concrete

When the concentration schemes was applied like what was recommended by Topark-Ngarm, but utilizing 12 to 14 M, it can be
observed that as the concentration of alkaline activator is higher, the strength become lower, which is very contradict with the previous
study. This could be attributed to the improper handling of concrete during casting and unclear sources and content of the Class C fly
ash contributing to the performance of the concrete. It can be observed from Table 1.3 and Figure 1.1, where the 12 M Class C
FABGC concrete could gain a strength ranged from 5.5 to 6.6 MPa, which is higher than 14 M Class C FABGC concrete, ranged from
2.6 to 3.3 MPa only.
CLASS F FLY ASH

Table 1.4 : Proposed design for Class F fly ash-based geopolymer concrete according to Albitar et al. (2015) in kg/m3
Compressive
Coarse Sodium Additional w/b AA/W
Name Fly ash Fine agg Sodium silicate strength
agg hydroxide water ratio ratio
(MPa)
C-TF-100-7-1-a-14-1 430.11 583.20 1182.95 63.83 95.75 74.11 0.54 2.20 28.7
C-TF-100-14-1-a-14-2 430.11 583.20 1182.95 63.83 95.75 74.11 0.54 2.20 23.0
C-TF-100-28-1-a-14-3 430.11 583.20 1182.95 63.83 95.75 74.11 0.54 2.20 20.0

Based on Table 1.4, design mixture for Class F fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FABGC) was proposed according to Albitar in
studying the bond properties of fly ash, but using local Australian Class F fly ash. It was proposed to use the same design mixture for
Malaysia Class F fly ash. Mixture 3 was used for Class F fly ash because it has lowest water content, where theoretically, the
compressive strength of Class F become higher as the water content is lower. So, the design mixture with the lowest water content was
considered for a proper casting. The results for compressive strength was shown on Table 1.4 after 7 to 28 days curing age, subjected
to heat curing for 24 hours at 60°C.

The result shows as the curing age become longer, the strength of Class F FABGC become lower as well. This means that
Malaysia Class F FABGC is also not recommended for structural application. However, compared to Class C FABGC, the strength
gained was higher and can be considered to be used with a few modifications in terms of design mixture. Geopolymer blending was
recommended as a modification to gain a higher compressive strength, which is blending with ground granulated blast furnace slag
(GGBFS). From Table 1.4 shows as the water content become lower, the compressive strength become higher, which is more
significant compared to Class C FABGC.

It can be shown that Malaysian Class F fly ash also is still not capable enough to become green cement to fully substitute conventional
concrete. If compared to Albitar, the strengths are very different where the range of strength are from 33 to 43 MPa, but for Malaysia
Class F fly ash, ranged between 20.5 until 27.6 MPa only. However, geopolymer blending will be applied to ensure a higher
compressive strength for a better structural application.
 Table 1.5 : Material properties for Class F fly ash-based geopolymer concrete
Compressive
Curing time
Class w/b ratio AA/W ratio Molarity (M) strength
(day)
(MPa)
F 0.54 2.2 7 12 13.1
F 0.54 2.2 14 12 15.0
F 0.54 2.2 28 12 16.7
F 0.54 2.2 7 14 28.7
F 0.54 2.2 14 14 23.0
F 0.54 2.2 28 14 20.0
Compressive strength (MPa)

Concentration of Alkaline Activator Effect on

Compressive Strength For Class F Fly Ash
40
30
20
Alkaline Activator 12 M
10
Alkaline Activator 14 M
0
0 10 20 30
Curing age (days)

Figure 1.2 : Concentration comparison for Class F fly ash-based geopolymer concrete

When the concentration schemes was applied like what was recommended by Topark-Ngarm, but utilizing 12 to 14 M, it can be
observed that as the concentration of alkaline activator is higher, the strength also become higher, which is in line with the previous
study. However, it is still contradicted with the Class C FABGC. This could be attributed to the improper handling of concrete during
casting and unclear sources and content of the Class C and Class F fly ash contributing to the performance of the concrete. It can be
observed from Table 1.5 and Figure 1.2, where the 12 M Class C FABGC concrete could gain a strength ranged from 13.1 to 16.7
MPa, which is higher than 14 M Class C FABGC concrete, ranged from 20.0 to 28.7 MPa only.