Project Part 1- Seminar Report on

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON
GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Dr.M.V.KRISHNA RAO, PROFESSOR

PROJECT TEAM-[Reg No-125MVK]
B.Ramya-160119732017
B.K.R.Srikari-160119732007

SUBMITTED TO-
Department of Civil Engineering
Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology
Gandipet, Hyderabad -500075
 CONTENTS
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Literature Survey
4. Problem Statement
5. Methodology
6. Expected Outcomes
7. References
 ABSTRACT

In Geopolymer concrete the effect of sodium hydroxide concentration and curing type on
strength and durability characteristics of low calcium fly ash-based Geo Polymer
Concrete (GPC). Test results indicate that the workability decreased and strength
improved with increasing concentration of NaOH in Geo Polymer Concrete specimens.
Hot oven cured concrete specimens exhibited better compressive strength as compared to
those of ambient curing. Exposure of Geo Polymer Concrete specimens to acidic and
sulphate environments suffered loss of weight and compressive strength up to 3.5% and
14% respectively. Results signified that hot oven cured Geo Polymer Concrete is highly
resistant to water sorption, chloride ion penetration, and also to acid and sulphate attacks.
Geopolymer concrete(GPC) is a perfect alternative to conventional cement concrete.
This experimental investigation examines the physical properties, chemical properties,
mechanical properties, non-destructive test, and micro structural analysis of the various
geopolymer concrete samples, varying the liquid-to-binder(LBR) ratio from 0.40 to 0.70,
and curing temperature from 60 °C to 120 °C. After the experimental investigation, the
workability increases with the increment of the liquid-to-binder ratio in the design mix,
but the mix specimen density decreases with the same.
 INTRODUCTION

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers that are synthesized from aluminosilicate materials. They
are activated into binders using strong alkali activators. During geopolymerization, the
aluminosilicate raw materials dissolve in the highly alkaline activator solution, then precipitate
into aluminosilicate gel to form a polymeric structure made of amorphous or partially amorphous
phases composed of Al, Si and O elements. The properties of geopolymer binders largely depend
on the composition of starting materials and the reaction processes that occur during
geopolymerization. FA and GGBS are artificial industrial waste by-products that are generated in
large quantities worldwide. However, only small proportions of these artificial wastes are used
beneficially, e.g., as pozzolans in ordinary Portland cement (OPC), while most of these materials
are disposed of in landfills. The potential re-use of these wastes as alternative binder materials,
would promote pollution control and environmental sustainability. However, for these alternative
binders to be used at industrial scale, extensive scientific research into their performance
properties is necessary, so as to develop full understanding of their material characteristics and
engineering behaviors. Concrete is universally used, most practical and popular construction
material. Demand for concrete material is increasing rapidly with the exponential growth of
construction industry. The Portland cement production is estimated to increase worldwide from
3.27 billion metric tons in 2010 to 4.83 billion metric tons in 2030. One ton of cement production
requires around 1.5 tons of lime stone, 3,500 KJ energy and emits 0.9 ton of CO 2, besides SO2
and NOX released to the atmosphere. The cement production process emits CO2 in two various
stages;

i) During the calcination reaction in the manufacturing process

ii) Burning of fuel to generate heat required for calcinations. The cement manufacturing
is accountable for around 5 − 8% emission of CO2 globally. Supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs) plays an important role in reducing emission of CO2
from the cement industry
 LITERATURE SURVEY
1. An Experimental Investigation on Geopolymer Concrete Utilizing
Micronized Biomass Silica and GGBS

Srinivasan Vediyappana; Structural Engineering ;2021

In this investigation, experiments were conducted by using various quantity of micronized
biomass silica (MBS) as replacement for GGBS and its effect on mechanical and durability
properties were studied. The main objective of this laboratory investigation was to examine the
influence of MBS inclusion in different proportions of slag based alkali activated mortar and
concrete. The production of geopolymer concrete using Industrial by-products like GGBS and
MBS can be profitably used at ambient air curing. The compressive strength is proportional to
molar concentration of hydroxide solution in AAS intensified. This study justifies the utilization
of substantial quantity of industrial/agro residue and prevents water usage / thermal curing.
Further research is required in order to examine the microstructure, durability and cost benefit
analysis of produced geopolymer concrete. The optimum percentage replacement of GGBS with
MBS with respect to weight replacement of 20% is observed. It is concluded that geopolymer
concrete utilizing local materials and industrial by product like MBS and GGBS as binder is a
future realistic construction material. This leads to a novel class of geopolymer composite using
MBS. This MBS polymer composites also influences the environment positively.

2. Effect of Plasticizer and Superplasticizer on Rheology of Fly-Ash-Based

Geopolymer Concrete

by Aminul Islam Laskar and Rajan Bhattacharjee; ACI MATERIALS

JOURNAL;2013
This study reveals the effect of plasticizer/super plasticizer after interacting with alkaline
solutions on yield stress and plastic viscosity of fly-ash-based geopolymer concrete. Study the
variation of yield stress, plastic viscosity, and slump of fly-ash-based geopolymer concrete with
the variation of lignin-based plasticizer dosage and polycarboxylic-ether-based super plasticizer
dosage. Study the variation of yield stress, plastic viscosity, and slump of fly-ash-based
geopolymer concrete with the variation of lignin-based plasticizer dosage and polycarboxylic-
ether-based super plasticizer dosage. Plasticizer and super plasticizer dosage improves
workability (measured by slump test) of fly-ash-based geopolymer concrete for a molar strength
of a NaOH solution less than 4 M. As the dose of water reducer increases, there is a decrease in
the value of rheological parameters. First-generation lignin-based water reducer has been found
to be more effective than third-generation PC-based super plasticizer for mixtures having a molar
strength greater than 4 M. However, segregation of concrete takes place with the addition of
lignin-based water reducer at 1.5% and above. Lignin-based plasticizer still shows better
performance, as measured by the slump test, than PC-based super plasticizer at higher molar
concentrations.

3. Review on Geopolymer concrete

M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M.I.Abdul Aleem ,P.D Arumairaj ;International Journal;2012
The fine aggregate shall be replaced partially by quarry dust. Quarry dust is having high
content of Silica, which may increase the compressive strength of Geopolymer Concrete
by partial replacement of quarry dust. Different concentrations of Sodium Hydroxide
solution (8M, 10M, 12M, 14M & 16M) shall be used and the characteristics shall be
studied. Similarly the different curing methods shall also be studied. Hot air curing, Steam
curing, Sun curing and ambient curing shall be studied for the above mentioned different
Molar ratios of Sodium Hydroxide solutions. In order to study the use of Geopolymer Concrete
as of normal concrete, different structural elements like Plain Cement Concrete Beam,
Reinforced Cement Concrete Beam, Reinforced Concrete Columns, Reinforced Beam
Column joints shall be cast for the above mentioned concentrations of Sodium Hydroxide
solution and curing conditions and tested. The characteristics of geopolymer concrete shall
be studied and based on the test results use of Geopolymer Concrete. Geopolymer
Concrete shall be used in repairs and rehabilitation works. Due to the high early strength
Geopolymer Concrete shall be effectively used in the precast industries, so that huge production
is possible in short duration and the breakage during transportation shall also be minimized. The
Geopolymer Concrete shall be effectively used for the beam column junction of a reinforced
concrete structure. Geopolymer Concrete shall also be used in the Infrastructure works.

M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
M. I. Abdul Aleem
1
, P. D. Arumairaj
4. Geopolymer concrete for environmental protection

B. Vijaya Rangan; The Indian Concrete Journal;2014

Tests were performed to establish the effect of water to geopolymer solids ratio by mass on the
compressive strength and the workability of geopolymer concrete. The test specimens were
100x200 mm cylinders, heat-cured in an oven at various temperatures for 24 hours. The results
of these tests, that the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete decreases as the water-to-
geopolymer solids ratio by mass increases . This test trend is analogous to the well-known effect
of water-to-cement ratio on the compressive strength of Portland cement concrete. Obviously, as
the water-to-geopolymer solids ratio increased, the workability increased as the mixtures
contained more water. The workability of the fresh concrete was measured by means of the
conventional slump test.The compressive strength of geopolymer concrete is influenced by the
wet-mixing time. Test results show that the compressive strength increased as the wet-mixing
time increased. Heat-cured low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concrete also shows excellent
resistance to sulfate attack and fire, good acid resistance, undergoes low creep, and suffers very
little drying shrinkage. Some applications of geopolymers have also been included. The paper
has identified several economic benefits of using geopolymer concrete.

5. Performance of flyash based geopolymer concrete under ambient and

oven curing conditions
M.V. KRISHNA RAO, P. RATHISH KUMAR, T. SESHADRI SEKHAR;
ICJ; 2019
This paper addresses the effect of sodium hydroxide concentration and curing type on strength
and durability characteristics of low calcium fly ash-based Geo Polymer Concrete (GPC).
Workability and setting time of GPC decreases with increase in the concentration of NaOH
solution. The GPC mixes considered registered true slumps, in range of 150-180 mm, and were
found to be adequately workable. The compressive strength increased with the increase in the
concentration of NaOH solution in hot oven curing, with curing temperature in the range of 60ºC
- 90ºC. This results in higher strengths than ambient/no curing due to acceleration of geo-
polymerization reaction at high temperatures.Hot oven curing of GPC offers superior resistance
to acid and sulphate attack compared to ambient air curing and GPC is more resistant to the
attack of hydrochloric acid than that of sulphuric acid. Relatively higher loss of compressive
strength and weight occurs in GPC specimens exposed to 5% H2SO4 solution compared to those
exposed to 5% HCl or 5% MgSO4. A slight increase in mass of specimens, soaked in
MgSO4solution, was noticed due to the absorption of the exposed liquid.No significant change
in shape or external appearance occurred in specimen exposed to acid attack and remained
structurally intact without visible cracks, except the surface becoming little softer with increasing
immersion period. On exposure to 5% MgSO4 solution, the specimens suffered whitish deposits
on the surface, which gradually transformed from soft & flaky shape to hard & rounded shape.
With increase in grade of concrete i.e. with increase in the NaOH concentration in GPC the
RCPT charges and water sorptivity decrease, indicating that the concrete is much less permeable
and there by more durable.
 6. Behaviour of fly ash geopolymer binders under exposure to alkaline
media

Naghizadeh, S. O. Ekolu; Asian Journal; 2019

In the study, fly ash geopolymer (FA–GPC) pastes and mortars containing non-reactive
aggregates were immersed in highly alkaline solutions to assess possible occurrence of alkali
attack. Compressive strength, expansion monitoring and leaching tests, were done. Also
conducted were analytical studies done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fuorescence
(XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The efects of alkaline environment
on fly ash geopolymer binder systems were investigated in the present study. Geo-polymer
pastes and mortars were stored in water, 1 M, 2 M, or 3 M NaOH solutions at the diferent
temperatures of 23, 38 or 80 °C, then evaluated for changes in physico-chemical properties.
Microstructural studies were also conducted in an attempt to examine the unfolding
mechanism(s) of the alkali attack process.There was significant-to-severe loss in compressive
strength along with intense expansion, upon exposure of the fly ash geopolymer binders to
alkaline solutions exceeding the concentrations of 1 M NaOH. It was found that elevated
concentrations of NaOH solutions cause damage to the polymeric structure of the geo-polymer
binder by breaking the Si–O–Al bonds, leading to liberation of the Si and Al species. New
crystalline phases comprising phillipsite, zeolite-P and chabazite formed in the fy ash
geopolymer systems upon storage of the pastes or mortars under elevated NaOH concentrations.

7. Performance of natural rubber latex on calcined clay-based glass fiber

reinforced geopolymer concrete

Badrinarayan Rath , Ramu Debnath; Asian Journal;2020

This research has been focused on producing geopolymer concrete using calcined clay, brick
aggregate, rubber latex and glass fber. Also, it has to check the performance of rubber latex in
geopolymer concrete as a plasticizer. The developmental progress challenges such as remote
geo-graphical stratum surrounded by the river, jungle and high hills; the environmental
challenges such as deforestation, high energy demand, large carbon dioxide emission, and
exorbitant raw material consumption lead researchers to search for alternative building material
like geopolymer concrete. In this research, geopolymer concrete is developed by using calcined
clay as cementitious material, broken brick as aggregate, and alkaline liquids like NaOH and
CaSiO3 as an activator. Using rubber latex up to 2% in cement concrete increased up to 97% of
slump height, 13% of compaction factor value and decreased 28% of yield stress, 67% of
electrical resistivity at the fresh stage, and 26% of shrinkage.Using rubber latex in cement
concrete up to 2%, the bulk electrical resistivity increased near about to double of bulk electrical
resistivity of concrete without rubber latex. Hence, it is concluded that using rubber latex in
concrete might be helped for improving the interfacial transition zone. Though the geopolymer
fber-reinforced concrete is costlier than traditional cement concrete, it is eco-friendly. The extra
expensive for getting unit strength can be compensated by adding 2% of rubber latex and 0.1%
of glass fiber in calcined clay-based geopolymer concrete.Using calcined clay in geopolymer
concrete is an alternative solution for the preparation of concrete without cement. This practice
can reduce mining of lime by cutting down of jungle and also can be stopped to pollute the air at
the time of cement production. Our environment can be kept as neat, clean, and green.

8. Effects of combined usage of GGBS and fly ash on workability and

mechanical properties of alkali activated geopolymer concrete with
recycled aggregate

Jianhe Xiea , Junjie Wangb , Rui Rao ;Elsevier ; 2018

The natural coarse aggregates (NA) used were granite and the properties were reported in Table
1. The recycled coarse aggregates (RA) used in this study were the crushed waste concrete with a
strength of 20–30 MPa from demolished civil buildings. The properties of RA were reported in
Table 2 and the results show that the RA met the requirements of class Ⅲ of recycled aggregates
which can be used in concrete according to Chinese standard GB/T 25177-2010. The
combination of GGBS and fly ash can provide excellent synergetic effects on workability and
mechanical performance for the geopolymer concrete with recycled coarse aggregates, i.e. fly
ash and GGBS are mainly responsible for the former and the latter, respectively.

(2) GRAC may provide higher slump value than OPC concrete with same W/B ratio. The
consistency of GRAC is remarkably influenced by GGBS content. Increase of GGBS content
and decrease of W/B can reduce the slump value of GRAC. However, the effect of W/B ratio on
the consistency of GRAC is insignificant when the pro- portion ratio of GGBS/fly ash is less
than 1/3.
(3) Both GGBS content and W/B ratio have significant effects on the setting time of GRAC.
W/B ratio has an almost linear relationship with the setting time of GRAC. Higher W/B ratio
leads to longer initial and final setting time, but which are reduced by increasing GGBS content.
That is to say, higher GGBS contents requires higher W/B ratio for the GRAC to extend the
setting time. The water-reducer with sucrose is suitable for GRAC to retard the initial rapid
hydration process and is able to give enough time for mixing and preparation of GRAC
meanwhile maintaining good early-age strength.

(4) Replacing OPC matrix by fly ash/GGBS based geopolymer can improve the strength of
recycled aggregate concretes. As expected, the compressive strength of GRAC increased with
the decrease of W/B ratio. However, the effect of W/B ratio on GRAC strength depends on the
GGBS content, and the strength of GRAC generally increased with the increasing of GGBS
content, as similar as the slump value.Compared with W/B ratio, GGBS content had a more
significant influence on the compressive strength of GRAC, e.g. the compressive strength of
GRAC with 50% and 75% GGBS content was 50% and 180% higher than that of OPC concrete,
respectively.

(5) The elastic modulus of GRAC can have a great improvement compared to NC and RC.
Similar as elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio and toughness of GRAC increased with GGBS
content. Compared with RC, GRACs have the potential to provide better energy dissipation
capacity.

(6) Compared with RC, the fly ash/GGBS based GRAC has more clear peaks of mullet and
quartz but less C3S, which could be partly responsible for the microstructure observation that the
geopolymer binder matrix was found to be denser than OPC matrix.
Based on the synthetical consideration of compressive properties and workability, GRAC
incorporating GGBS/fly ash binder (pro- portion ratio 1:1) with a 0.5 water-binder ratio is a more
promising alternative to normal concrete as a quick repairing material used in the civil
engineering

Problem Statement
Now-a-days the global problems Associated with us in to-day’s world are environmental
pollution, global warming (and hence climate change) are threats to sustainable future of this
planet.In order to significantly reduce CO 2 emission by cement industry, we need an eco-binder
which partially or fully replace OPC in concrete.
 METHODOLOGY

1. Materials Used:

a) Fly ash
b) Fine Aggregate
c) Coarse Aggregate
d) Alkaline Solution
e) Super plasticizer
f) Water content of mixture