Skip to main content
Log in

Improvement of Durability Aspects of CAC-Based Alkali-Activated Concrete

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Civil Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent years, alkali-activated concrete (AAC) has evolved as a potential alternative to conventional concrete. AAC demonstrates better mechanical properties in most cases. In order to assess its resistance against different chemicals, the durability features of AAC created with ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash (FA) and calcium aluminate cement (CAC) as binders are highlighted in this study. Sodium hydroxide (NH) and sodium silicate (NS) were utilized as alkaline activators of AAC. Proportions of GGBS and CAC were the variable factors investigated in this study. Concrete cube specimens were prepared with varying proportions of GGBS, FA, CAC and a ratio of alkali solution to binder of 0.5. A durability aspect of AAC was investigated by subjecting concrete specimens to different chemicals. When subjected to 5% sulphuric acid (H2SO4), 5% magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), and 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions for 30, 60, and 90 days, the mass loss and strength loss were calculated. According to the findings, using extra cementitious material as a partial substitute for binders in AAC improves the mechanical and durability attributes. To further understand the surface morphology and mineralogy, microstructural analysis was performed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aiken TA, Kwasny J, Sha W, Soutsos MN (2018) Effect of slag content and activator dosage on the resistance of fly ash geopolymer binders to sulfuric acid attack. Cem Concr Res 111:23–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.06.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albitar M, Mohamed Ali MS (2015) Visintin P (2015) Assessing behaviour of fresh and hardened geopolymer concrete mixed with class-F fly ash. KSCE J Civ Eng 19:1445–1455. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-1254-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albitar M, Ali MM, Drechsler M, Visintin P (2017) Durability evaluation of geopolymer and conventional concretes. Constr Build Mater 136:374–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.01.056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amran M, Al-Fakih A, Azevedo A, Chu SH, Fediuk R, Haruna S, Vatin N (2021) Long-term durability properties of geopolymer concrete: an in-depth review. Case Stud Constr Mater 15:e00661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonovič V, Aleknevičius M, Boris R, Kerienė J (2013) The effect of temperature on the formation of the hydrated calcium aluminate cement structure. Procedia Eng 57:99–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.04.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arbi K, Fernández-Jiménez A, Palomo A (2013) Alkali-activated blends of calcium aluminate cement and slag/diatomite. Ceram Int 39(8):9237–9245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2013.05.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM C1202-19, Standard test method for electrical indication of concrete's ability to resist chloride ion penetration

  • ASTM C186-17 (2017) Standard test method for heat of hydration of hydraulic cement

  • ASTM C618 (2003) Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural pozzolan for use in concrete. American society for testing and materials. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA

  • Cao YF, Pan Z, Tao Z, Wuhrer R (2018) Effect of calcium aluminate cement on geopolymer concrete cured at ambient temperature. Constr Build Mater 191:242–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duxson P, Lukey GC, Provis JL, Van Deventer JS (2007) The role of inorganic polymer technology in the development of ‘green concrete.’ Cem Concr Res 37(12):1590–1597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.08.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganeshan M, Venkataraman S (2021) Durability and microstructural studies on fly ash blended self-compacting geopolymer concrete. Eur J Environ Civ Eng 25(11):2074–2088. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2019.1615991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh R, Gupta SK, Kumar A, Kumar S (2019) Durability and mechanical behavior of fly ash-ggbfs geopolymer concrete utilizing bottom ash as fine aggregate. Trans Indian Ceram Soc 78(1):24–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/0371750X.2019.1581092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IS:3812-Part I (2013) Indian Standard Specification, Pulverized Fuel ash - Specification (for use as pozzolana in cement, cement mortar, and concrete), Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:12089-1987: Indian Standard Specification, Specification for granulated slag for the manufacture of Portland slag cement, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:6452-1989: Indian Standard Specification, High alumina cement for structural use, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:4031-1996: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement: Part 1, Determination of Fineness by dry sieving, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:1727-1967: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of test for pozzolanic materials, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:4031-1988a: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement: Part 4, Determination of Consistency of Standard Cement Paste,Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

  • IS:4031-1988b: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement: Part 5, Determination of Initial and Final Setting Times, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

  • IS:4031-1988c: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement: Part 11, Determination of Density, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

  • IS:4031-1988d: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement: Part 3, Determination of soundness of cement, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:383-1989: Indian Standard Specification, Specification for coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:2386a - Part I-1963: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of test for aggregate for concrete (Particle size and shape), Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:2386b - Part III-1963: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of test for aggregate for concrete (Specific gravity, density, void, absorption, bulking), Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:2386 - Part IV-1963: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of Test for aggregates for concrete: Mechanical Properties Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

  • 1199-1959: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of sampling and analysis of concrete, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • IS:516-1959: Indian Standard Specification, Methods of test for the strength of concrete, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

  • Jena S, Panigrahi R (2019) Performance assessment of geopolymer concrete with partial replacement of ferrochrome slag as coarse aggregate. Constr Build Mater 220:525–537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.045

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jimenez A, Lodeiro I, Palomo A (2007) Durability of alkali-activated fly ash cementitious materials. J Mater Sci 42:3055–3065. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0584-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan G, Öz A, Bayrak B, Alcan HG, Çelebi O, Aydın AC (2022) Effect of quartz powder on mid-strength fly ash geopolymers at short curing time and low curing temperature. Constr Build Mater 329:127153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karaaslan C, Bağatur T, Polat R, Yener E (2022) Improving the durability of pumice-fly ash based geopolymer concrete with calcium aluminate cement. J Build Eng 59:105110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar R, Dev N, Verma M (2022) Investigation on the effect of seawater condition, sulphate attack, acid attack, freeze-thaw condition, and wetting-drying on the geopolymer concrete. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 46:2823–2853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00767-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavanya G, Jegan J (2015) Durability study on high calcium fly ash based geopolymer concrete. Adv Mater Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/731056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee NK, Lee HK (2013) Setting and mechanical properties of alkali-activated fly ash/slag concrete manufactured at room temperature. Constr Build Mater 47(2013):1201–1209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.05.107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luhar S, Gupta R, Luhar I (2022) Durability performance evaluation of green geopolymer concrete. Eur J Environ Civ Eng 26(10):4297–4345. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2020.1847691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta A, Siddique R (2017) Sulfuric acid resistance of fly ash based geopolymer concrete. Constr Build Mater 146:136–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.04.077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mobasheri F, Azizi S, Mirvalad S, Mowlaei R, Shirzadi Javid AA (2022) Durability and mechanical properties of pumice-based geopolymers: a sustainable material for future. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 46(1):223–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00651-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niş A, Çevik A (2022) Seawater resistance of alkali-activated concrete. In: Pacheco-Torgal F, Chindaprasirt P, Ozbakkaloglu T (eds) Handbook of advances in alkali-activated concrete. Woodhead Publishing, pp 451–469

  • Niveditha M, Srikanth K (2020) Effect of durability properties on geopolymer concrete—A review. In: E3S Web of Conferences, vol 184. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202018401092.

  • Okoye FN, Prakash S, Singh NB (2017) Durability of fly ash based geopolymer concrete in the presence of silica fume. J Clean Prod 149:1062–1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öz A, Bayrak B, Kavaz E, Kaplan G, Çelebi O, Alcan HG, Aydın AC (2022) The radiation shielding and microstructure properties of quartzic and metakaolin based geopolymer concrete. Constr Build Mater 342:127923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reig L, Borrachero MV, Monzó J, Payá J, Soriano L (2016) Influence of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) on alkaline activation of red clay brick waste (RCBW). Cement Concrete Compos 65:177–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2015.10.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Bhattacharyya SK, Gupta M, Ishwarya G (2015) Geopolymer concrete: a review of some recent developments. Constr Build Mater 85:78–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vafaei M, Allahverdi A, Bassim N, Dong P (2019) Durability performance of geopolymer cement based on fly ash and calcium aluminate cement in mild concentration acid solutions. J Sustain Cement Based Mater 8(5):290–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2019.1615568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasim M, Law D, Ngo TD (2021) A state-of-the-art review on the durability of geopolymer concrete for sustainable structures and infrastructure. Constr Build Mater 291:123381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong LS (2022) Durability performance of geopolymer concrete: a review. Polymers 14(5):868. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050868

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sanghamitra Jena.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Prusty, S.R., Behera, D., Panigrahi, R. et al. Improvement of Durability Aspects of CAC-Based Alkali-Activated Concrete. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 47, 2879–2897 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-023-01098-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-023-01098-7

Keywords

Navigation