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Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under

ambient curing condition
A. Krishna Rao a,⇑, D. Rupesh Kumar b
a
Department of Civil Engineering, CMR Institute of Technology, Hyderabad 501401, India
b
Department of Civil Engineering,University of College of Engineering, OUs, Hyderabad 500007, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was blended with fly ash (FA) to form binder content (B)
Received 13 March 2020 and combined at different ratios with a solution of various alkaline activators (ALA) to make Geopolymer
Received in revised form 23 March 2020 concrete (GPC). The ALA solution consisted of a mixture of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydrox-
Accepted 27 March 2020
ide (NaOH), with a stable NaOH concentration of 12 M & 14 M (Molarities) and a Na2SiO3/NaOH mass
Available online xxxx
ratio from 2.5 to 3.5. The GPC mixes were prepared with different ALA/B ratios (0.3, 0.35 & 0.40). All of
the mixes were cured under ambient conditions. To analyses, the impact of the ALA/B ratio on the
Keywords:
GPC, the compressive, flexural strength and splitting tensile strengths of hardened GPC were investigated
Geopolymer Concrete (GPC)
Silica fume
at the ages of 7, 28 and 90 days. The experimental results showed that varying the ALA/B ratio had an
Sodium silicate influence on the compressive strength of GPC. The Compressive strength was higher at an ALA/B ratio
Sodium hydroxide of 0.4 than at both higher and lower ratios. At this optimum ALA/B ratio, the compressive strength of
Alkaline activators (ALA) up to 64.13 N/mm2 was recorded at 90 days.
Alkaline activators and binder (ALA/B) ratio Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the First International con-
ference on Advanced Lightweight Materials and Structures.

1. Introduction
In general, a Concrete is considered to be as an artificial engi-
neering material which is made by mixing Portland cement, water,
fine and coarse aggregates and a small amount of air. It is the most
widely employed construction material in the world. Concrete is
the only major building material that can be transferred to the
job site in plastic state. This unique feature makes the concrete
as a desirable building material as it can be moulded to any shape.
Concrete provides wide latitude in surface textures and colours. It
can be used further to construct a wide variety of structures like
highways and streets, bridges, dams, large buildings, airport run-
ways, irrigation structures etc. On the other hand, concrete has bet-
ter strength, much economical and durable as well. Depending on
the mixture of materials used, concrete will support, in
compression.
According to Pavithraa [1] et al., in their study suggest that,
using the proposed method GPC can be produced for a specific
strength by employing the corresponding AAS/FA ratio obtained
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: akulakrishnarao@gmail.com (A. Krishna Rao).
from the modified ACI strength vs. w/c ratio curve. GPC can also
be produced for a specific AAS/FA ratio to achieve the correspond-
ing strength. Using the proposed methodology, fly ash based GPC
of strengths ranging from 23 to 53 MPa.
Aliabdo et al [2] concluded that the increasing alkaline solution
to fly ash ratio improves fly ash based GPC properties [3,4]. The
optimum alkaline solution to fly ash ratio is 0.40. Pradip Nath
et al [5], proven that the low-calcium fly ash was blended with
GGBFS up to 15%, OPC up to 8% and calcium hydroxide (CH) up
to 3% in order to accelerate setting at ambient condition.
Davidovits et al. [6], used ground blast furnace slag to produce
geopolymer binders. According to their research findings, Geopoly-
mers were found to be fire resistant and durable under UV light.
Joseph Davidovits [7] proposed a new type of concrete without
Portland cement which is termed as geopolymer concrete.
Geopolymer is an inorganic alumina-silicate polymer which is syn-
thesized predominantly from silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al) mate-
rial of geological origin. The chemical composition of geopolymer
materials is similar to that of zeolite.
Van Jaarsveld et al. [8] has carried out their experiments on
geopolymers using two types of fly ash. Palomo et al. [9], basically
studied about the influence of curing temperature, curing time and
alkaline solution-to-fly ash ratio on the compressive strength. Xu

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.682
2214-7853/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the First International conference on Advanced Lightweight Materials and Structures.

Please cite this article as: A. Krishna Rao and D. R. Kumar, Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under ambient curing condition,
Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.682
2 A. Krishna Rao, D.R. Kumar / Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
et al. [10], investigated the geopolymerization of about ‘150 natural
Al-Si minerals. It was found that the minerals with a higher extent
of dissolution were demonstrated better compressive strength
after polymerization. Swanepoel et al. [11] has conducted a study
on geopolymer produced by mixing fly ash, kaolinite, sodium silica
solution, NaOH and water.
Fig. 1. Concrete cube before and after the test.
Fig. 2. Split tensile testing of concrete.
Fig. 3. Flexural test on beam.
Fig. 4. Casting of cubes, cylinders and beams.
Please cite this article as: A. Krishna Rao and D. R. Kumar, Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under ambient curing condition,
Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.682
Buchwald et al. [12,13], studied about evaluation of different
raw materials in which ecological and economic aspects were
implemented and examined. Most of the literature focuses on
mix design of Geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer concrete is hav-
ing a denser structure and is expected to perform better under
adverse environment. In general, the tendency of BFS to dissolve
and the consequent reaction intensity increase with alkali concen-
tration up to a certain point but not beyond this and an excessive
alkali dose can cause a reduction in 28 d compressive strength of
alkali activated concretes. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium sili-
cate, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and sodium sulphate (Na2SO4)
are the activators most commonly used for alkali activation of
BFS. The use of sodium silicate to activate BFSs of normal
composition
2. Experimental program
2.1. Materials used in manufacture of geopolymer concrete
2.1.1. Flyash
The composition of fly ash (collected from Vijayawada Thermal
Power Station): SiO2 is 61.32%, Al2O3 is 26.30%, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4
is 6.95%, CaO is 2.41%, Na2O is 1.02%. Its specific gravity is 2.0325
and bulk density is 0.8434 g/cm3.
2.1.2. GGBS
Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS or GGBFS) is a by-
product of iron and steel-making and it is obtained by quenching
molten iron slag from a blast furnace in water or steam, to produce
a glassy, granular product after that is dried and ground into a fine
powder. Ground-granulated blast furnace slag is highly cementi-
tious and high in CSH (calcium silicate hydrates) which is a
strength enhancing compound which increases the strength, dura-
bility and appearance of the concrete. The main components of
blast furnace slag are CaO (30–50%), SiO2 (28–38%), Al2O3 (8–
24%), and MgO (1–18%).
2.1.3. Alkaline activators:
Alkaline activators are the most significant element of geopoly-
mer mix, it undergoes geopolymerization and gives binding prop-
erty by igniting the Al and Si present in the cementitious binder. A
12 M and 14 M solution of sodium hydroxide with sodium silicate
used as alkaline activator solution.
2.1.4. Alkali binder ratio
It is the ratio between the alkaline liquid to binder means the
combination of the Fly ash and GGBS taken as 0.30 0.35 and 0.4.
 A. Krishna Rao, D.R. Kumar / Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx 3

Table 1
Compressive strength test results of GPC for 12 M and 14 M.

S. No Code Alkaline and binder Mass of NaOH & Na2SiO3 Compressive Strength (N/mm2)
ratio (ALA/B) Solution Ratio (ALA)
28 days 90 days
1 R1114 0.30 2.5 20.11 21.34
2 R1214 3.0 17.25 23.26
3 R1314 3.5 19.12 22.71
4 R2114 0.35 2.5 39.10 42.94
5 R2214 3.0 39.38 54.65
6 R2314 3.5 40.24 55.57
7 R3114 0.40 2.5 49.38 56.13
8 R3214 3.0 52.90 59.53
9 R3314 3.5 52.17 61.63
10 SR1112 0.30 2.5 50.10 52.90
11 SR1212 3.0 51.20 53.10
12 SR1312 3.5 51.13 52.19
13 SR2112 0.35 2.5 57.27 58.43
14 SR2212 3.0 59.17 60.10
15 SR2312 3.5 61.20 64.13
16 SR3112 0.40 2.5 49.38 50.10
17 SR3212 3.0 45.32 48.42
18 SR3312 3.5 46.33 47.13

Fig. 5. Compressive Strength details for 12 M &14 M.

2.2. Mix design 2.3. Casting and curing of samples

The mix design is determined based on available literature for
this code provision is not available, and it is prepared based on trial
and error method with alkali activator, alkaline liquid and alkali
binder ratio.
The following ratios were used for preparation of mix design,
the alkaline liquid /Binder ratio (is taken as 0.3, 0.35 and 0.4),
NaOH and Na2SiO3 solutions with various molarities (12 M &
14 M), Mass of NaOH to mass of Na2SiO3 ratio 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5)
Super plasticizer (1.75% of binder).
Samples (Cube, Cylinders and Beams) were prepared based on
the morality, alkaline binder ratio, alkaline activator ratio and
Fig. 4 shows the casting and curing of the specimens at ambient
temperature means at room temperature.
2.4. Testing of specimens
Figs. 1–4 shows the testing of the concrete cube specimens for
compressive strength at the age of 28 and 90 days. The reported

Please cite this article as: A. Krishna Rao and D. R. Kumar, Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under ambient curing condition,
Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.682
4 A. Krishna Rao, D.R. Kumar / Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 2
Flexural strength test results of GPC for 12 M and 14 M.

S.No Code Alkaline and binder ratio (ALA/B) Mass of NaOH & Na2SiO3 Solution Ratio (ALA) Flexural Strength (N/mm2)
28 days 90 days
1 R1114 0.30 2.5 3.51 4.10
2 R1214 3.0 3.78 3.81
3 R1314 3.5 2.10 2.71
4 R2114 0.35 2.5 5.10 5.64
5 R2214 3.0 6.26 6.75
6 R2314 3.5 5.14 5.57
7 R3114 0.40 2.5 4.38 6.13
8 R3214 3.0 6.23 6.53
9 R3314 3.5 6.17 6.63
10 SR1112 0.30 2.5 6.01 6.90
11 SR1212 3.0 5.20 5.11
12 SR1312 3.5 5.13 5.29
13 SR2112 0.35 2.5 5.28 5.33
14 SR2212 3.0 6.16 6.18
15 SR2312 3.5 6.22 6.34
16 SR3112 0.40 2.5 4.38 5.03
17 SR3212 3.0 4.23 4.24
18 SR3312 3.5 4.33 4.65

Fig. 6. Flexural strength details for 12 m & 14 M.

results are the average of three samples, Fig. 2 shows the testing of
the cylinders for split tensile test for finding the tensile strengths
and Fig. 3 shows the testing of the beam for flexural are reported
at 28 and 90 days.
3. Results and discussions
Table 1 & Fig. 5 gives the compressive strength of GPC at
28 days and 90 days with various combinations of alkaline binder
ratio (ALA/B) and the mass of NaOH to Na2SiO3 ratio (ALA) for
12 M and 14 M, in that strength is high when increasing the ALA
ratio at 28 days and the compressive strength is increased up to
ALA ratio 3.0 after that it is decreasing.
Table 2 & Fig. 6 shows the result of flexure strength of GPC at
28 days and 90 days with different combinations of alkaline binder
ratio (ALA/B) and the mass of NaOH to Na2SiO3 ratio (ALA) for 12 M
and 14 M, in all the combinations the flexural strength is increased
up to ALA is 3.0 and after that it is decreasing.
The tensile strength details of GPC at 28 days and 90 days are
shown in Table 3 & Fig. 7 and the strength is marginally increased
for both 12 M and 14 M.
Comparing the results of compressive strength (Table 1) for
14 M and 12 M, at 28 days the 12 M values are increased than

Please cite this article as: A. Krishna Rao and D. R. Kumar, Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under ambient curing condition,
Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.682
 A. Krishna Rao, D.R. Kumar / Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx 5

Table 3
Tensile strength test results of GPC for 12 M and 14 M.

S. No Code Alkaline and binder Mass of NaOH & Na2SiO3 Tensile Strength (N/mm2)
ratio (ALA/B) Solution Ratio (ALA)
28 days 90 days
1 R1114 0.30 2.5 2.71 2.80
2 R1214 3.0 2.78 2.61
3 R1314 3.5 2.70 2.82
4 R2114 0.35 2.5 3.12 3.22
5 R2214 3.0 3.58 3.61
6 R2314 3.5 4.56 4.68
7 R3114 0.40 2.5 4.21 4.57
8 R3214 3.0 4.28 4.33
9 R3314 3.5 4.17 4.23
10 SR1112 0.30 2.5 3.01 3.90
11 SR1212 3.0 3.20 3.21
12 SR1312 3.5 2.14 2.29
13 SR2112 0.35 2.5 2.62 2.84
14 SR2212 3.0 4.18 4.57
15 SR2312 3.5 4.26 4.34
16 SR3112 0.40 2.5 2.58 2.81
17 SR3212 3.0 2.23 2.26
18 SR3312 3.5 2.63 2.76

Fig. 7. Tensile strength details for 12 M & 14 M.

14 M for ALA/B & ALA combination i.e. 0.3 & 2.5, 0.3 & 3.0, 0.3 & 3.5,
0.35 & 2.5, 0.35 & 3.0, 0.35 & 3.5 and the values are 29.99 N/mm2
(149.10%), 33.95 N/mm2 (196.80%), 32.01 N/mm2 (167.40%),
18.17 N/mm2 (46.50%), 19.79 N/mm2 (50.30%), 20.9 N/mm2
(52.10%) respectively. The same values is observed for 0.4 & 2.5.
The 12 M values are decreased than 14 M for 0.4 & 3.0 and 0.4 &
3.5 and the decrease in values are 7.58 N/mm2 (14.30%), 5.84
N/mm2 (11.20%) respectively.
Similarly the results of compressive strength for 14 M and 12 M,
at 90 days the 12 M values are increased than 14 M for ALA/B &
ALA combination i.e. 0.3 & 2.5, 0.3 & 3.0, 0.3 & 3.5, 0.35 & 2.5,
0.35 & 3.0, 0.35 & 3.5 and the values are 31.56 N/mm2 (147.90%),
29.84 N/mm2 (128.30%), 29.48 N/mm2 (129.80%), 15.49 N/mm2
(36.07%), 5.45 N/mm2 (9.9%), 8.56 N/mm2 (15.40%) respectively.
The same values is observed for. The 12 M values are decreased
than 14 M for 0.4 & 2.5, 0.4 & 3.0, 0.4 & 3.5 and the decrease in val-
ues are 6.03 N/mm2 (10.70%), 11.11 N/mm2 (18.70%), 14.5 N/mm2
(23.50%) respectively.
Comparing the results of Flexural strength (Table 2) at 28 days,
the difference values of 12 M with 14 M for ALA/B & ALA combina-
tion i.e. 0.3 & 2.5, 0.3 & 3.0, 0.3 & 3.5, 0.35 & 2.5, 0.35 & 3.0, 0.35 &
3.5, 0.4 & 2.5, 0.4 & 3.0, 0.4 & 3.5, and the values are +2.5 N/mm2
(+71.20%), +1.42 N/mm2 (+37.60%), +3.03 N/mm2 (+144.30%),
+0.18 N/mm2 (+3.50%), 0.1 N/mm2 (1.60%), +1.08 N/mm2
(+21.10%), +0.0 N/mm2 (+0.0%), 2.00 N/mm2 (32.10%) and
1.84 N/mm2 (29.80%) respectively.

Please cite this article as: A. Krishna Rao and D. R. Kumar, Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under ambient curing condition,
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6 A. Krishna Rao, D.R. Kumar / Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
Similarly the results of Flexural strength at 90 days, the differ-
ence values of 12 M with 14 M for ALA/B & ALA combination i.e.
0.3 & 2.5, 0.3 & 3.0, 0.3 & 3.5, 0.35 & 2.5, 0.35 & 3.0, 0.35 & 3.5,
0.4 & 2.5, 0.4 & 3.0, 0.4 & 3.5, and the values are +2.8 N/mm2
(+68.29%), +1 N/mm2 (+34.12%), +2.58 N/mm2 (+95.20%),
0.31 N/mm2 (5.50%), 0.57 N/mm2 (8.44%), +0.77 N/mm2
(+13.82%), 1.1 N/mm2 (17.90%), 2.29 N/mm2 (35.10%) and
1.98 N/mm2 (29.90%) respectively.
Comparing the results of Tensile strength (Table 3) at 28 days,
the difference values of 12 M with 14 M for ALA/B & ALA combina-
tion i.e. 0.3 & 2.5, 0.3 & 3.0, 0.3 & 3.5, 0.35 & 2.5, 0.35 & 3.0, 0.35 &
3.5, 0.4 & 2.5, 0.4 & 3.0, 0.4 & 3.5, and the values are +0.3 N/mm2
(+11.10%), +0.42 N/mm2 (+15.10%), 5.60 N/mm2 (20.70%),
0.50 N/mm2 (16.0%), 0.6 N/mm2 (16.80%), 0.3 N/mm2
(6.6%), 1.63 N/mm2 (38.70%), 2.05 N/mm2 (47.90%) and
1.54 N/mm2 (36.90%) respectively.
Similarly the results of Tensile strength at 90 days, the differ-
ence values of 12 M with 14 M for ALA/B & ALA combination i.e.
0.3 & 2.5, 0.3 & 3.0, 0.3 & 3.5, 0.35 & 2.5, 0.35 & 3.0, 0.35 & 3.5,
0.4 & 2.5, 0.4 & 3.0, 0.4 & 3.5, and the values are +1.1 N/mm2
(+39.29%), +0.6 N/mm2 (+22.99%), 0.53 N/mm2 (18.8%),
0.38 N/mm2 (11.80%), 0.96 N/mm2 (26.59%), 0.34 N/mm2
(7.26%), 1.76 N/mm2 (38.50%), 2.07 N/mm2 (47.80%), and
1.47 N/mm2 (35.10%) respectively.
4. Conclusions
This experimental study discovers the challenges and an oppor-
tunity in the use of alkali activated binders and concludes that:
alkali activated binders have vast potential to replace the conven-
tional Ordinary Portland Cement. The following conclusions can be
drawn. The values of compressive strength is the highest at 28 days
for 14 M when ALA/B is 0.4 and ALA is 3.0 and for 12 M when ALA/B
is 0.35 and ALA is 3.5, at 90 days higher values are for 14 M when
ALA/B is 0.4 and ALA is 3.5 and for 12 M when ALA/B is 0.35 and
ALA is 3.5. For the flexural strength is the highest at 28 days for
14 M when ALA/B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.0 and for 12 M when ALA/
B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.5 and at 90 days higher values are for 14 M
when ALA/B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.0 and for 12 M when ALA/B is
0.3 and ALA is 2.5. For Tensile strength is the highest at 28 days
Please cite this article as: A. Krishna Rao and D. R. Kumar, Effect of various alkaline binder ratio on geopolymer concrete under ambient curing condition,
Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.682
for 14 M when ALA/B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.5 and for 12 M when
ALA/B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.5, and at 90 days higher values are for
14 M when ALA/B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.5 and for 12 M when ALA/
B is 0.35 and ALA is 3.0. Finally based on the cost effective the
12 M GPC is effective and the percentage of the strength is margin-
ally high when compared with 14 M.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
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