Abstract
In order to improve the mechanical properties of geopolymer, experimental comparison groups (a) to (f) were set up to explore the influence of particle size and content of fine sand on the unconfined compressive strength of metakaolin-based geopolymers. The results showed that when the particle size of the fine sand decreased, the strength of the geopolymer increased more significantly. When the particle size of the fine sand was less than 0.15 mm and the content was 10% of the maximum mass fraction, the composite possessed the highest strength and reached 41.51 Mpa. The effect of fine sand content on the polymerization process was characterized by SEM. The particle flow software PFC3D was selected to simulate the unconfined compressive process of the specimens, and Fish functions were established to monitor the quantity of cracks, crack distribution status, particle failure mode and porosity changes of the specimens during the unconfined compressive test experiment. The effect of fine sand with different particle sizes and contents on the compressive strength of metakaolin-based geopolymer was revealed from the viewpoint of mesomechanics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aguirre-Guerrero AM, Robayo-Salazar RA, de Gutiérrez RM (2017) A novel geopolymer application: Coatings to protect reinforced concrete against corrosion. Applied Clay Science 135:437–446, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2016.10.029
Bernal SA, de Gutiérrez RM, Provis JL (2012) Engineering and durability properties of concretes based on alkali-activated granulated blast furnace slag/metakaolin blends. Construction and Building Materials 33:99–108, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.01.017
Colangelo F, Roviello G, Ricciotti L, Ferone C, Cioffi R (2013) Preparation and characterization of new geopolymer-epoxy resin hybrid mortars. Materials 6:2989–3006, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6072989
Corinaldesi V (2012) Environmentally-friendly bedding mortars for repair of historical buildings. Construction and Building Materials 35:778, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.131
Davidovits J (1994) Geopolymers: Man-made rock geosynthesis and the resulting development of very early high strength cement. J. Mater. Edu. 16:91–137
Duxson P, Fernández-Jiménez A, Provis JL, Lukey GC, Palomo A, van Deventer JSJ (2007) Geopolymer technology: The current state of the art. Journal of Materials Science 42:2917–2933, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0637-z
Fernández-Jiménez A, Palomo A (2005) Mid-infrared spectroscopic studies of alkali-activated fly ash structure. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 86:207–214, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2005.05.057
Ismail I, Bernal SA, Provis JL, San Nicolas R, Brice DG, Kilcullen AR, Hamdan S, van Deventer JSJ (2013) Influence of fly ash on the water and chloride permeability of alkali-activated slag mortars and concretes. Construction and Building Materials 48:1187–1201, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.07.106
Khale D, Chaudhary R (2007) Mechanism of geopolymerization and factors influencing its development: A review. Journal of Materials Science 42:729–746, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0401-4
Liu HW, Yang C (2006) Microscopic analysis of particle flow in uniaxial compression of closed and unclosed fractured rocks. Hydropower Energy Science 34:131–135 (in Chinese)
Nazari A, Maghsoudpour A, Sanjayan JG (2014) Characteristics of boroaluminosilicate geopolymers. Construction and Building Materials 70:262–268, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.087
White CE, Page K, Henson NJ, Provis JL (2013) In situ synchrotron X-ray pair distribution function analysis of the early stages of gel formation in metakaolin-based geopolymers. Appl. Clay Sci. 73:17–25, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2012.09.009
Wu JY, Feng MM, Mao XB, Xu JM, Zhang WL, Ni XY, Han GS (2018) Particle size distribution of aggregate effects on mechanical and structural properties of cemented rockfill: Experiments and modeling. Construction and Building Materials 193:295–311, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.208
Zhang HY, Kodur V, Wu B, Cao L, Wang F (2016) Thermal behavior and mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar after exposure to elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials 109: 17–24, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.01.043
Zhang M, Guo H, El-Korchi T, Zhang GP, Tao MJ (2013) Experimental feasibility study of geopolymer as the next-generation soil stabilizer. Construction and Building Materials 47:1468–1478, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.017
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51774199) and Excellent Talents Fund Program of Higher Education Institutions of Liaoning Province (No. LR2018053).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ding, J., Wang, Z. & Zhao, X. Macro and Mesoscopic Study on the Mechanical Properties of Metakaolin-based Geopolymer Reinforced by Fine Sand. KSCE J Civ Eng 26, 4458–4466 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-022-2023-z
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-022-2023-z