Strength Study on Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Mortar

Abstract

Geopolymer is a novel binding material produced from the reaction of fly ash with an alkaline solution. In geopolymer mortar, portland cement is not utilized at all. In this research, the influence of various parameters on the short term engineering properties of fresh and hardened low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer mortar were studied. Tests were carried out on 70.71 × 70.71 × 70.71 mm cube geopolymer mortar specimens. The test results revealed that as the concentration of alkaline activator increases, the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar also increases. Study showed that higher mixing temperature and higher curing temperature exhibited higher compressive strength in early stages and still develop with longer curing. When the samples were mixed at room temperature, the compressive strength was low at an early stage, but gradually increased and finally, had as high strength.The mass ratio of activator/fly ash of 0.416 produced the highest 28 days compressive strength for the specimen.