K-Silicate based Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

As the production of Portland cement emits the carbon into the atmosphere which is leading us to the global warming and ozone layer depletion effects. By keeping environmental issues in mind, we need to find some alternative to the Ordinary Portland Cement. Against this background, using geo polymerization process, by-product material such as Fly ash, Bottom ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, Metakaolin, Rise husk ash etc. can be activated with the help of different alkaline activator. Due to its advantageous properties geopolymer concrete has gain so much attention from construction practitioners and research scholars. In the present study, Potassium silicate and potassium hydroxide which is harmless to use and has flow ability and viscous property like water was used to geopolymerize the precursor fly ash. Controlled Humidity and temperature conditions were chosen for curing. Steel and polypropylene (0.5%, 1%, 1.5% by volume of concrete) Fibers was added in the mix to reduce the shrinkage cracking and to increase the flexural performance of geopolymer concrete. The research work is focused on characterizing concrete properties like compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, split tensile strength and flexural strength of fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete before and after the elevated temperature condition. Tests results shows compressive strength decreases with 16.63% using fiber content 1.5%. split tensile strength increases by 46.62% by increasing fiber content by 1.5%. 28 days flexural strength increases by 49.09% by increasing fiber content by 1.5%. Same mechanical properties were also investigated by subjecting test specimens to elevated temperature of 500 ℃. split tensile and flexural strength also decreases by 25% and 15% respectively after 500 ℃ temperature exposure condition.