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Setting Time, Workability and Strength Properties of Alkali Activated Fly Ash and Slag Based Geopolymer Concrete Activated with High Silica Modulus Water Glass

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Abstract

Alkali activated materials are gaining the researchers attention in replacement for cement in traditional concrete. One ton of CO2 is liberated into the atmosphere to produce 1 ton of cement. Therefore, cement replacement with alkali activated materials in the construction industry decreases the pollution in two ways: reducing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere by reducing cement consumption and using large quantities of industrial waste in thermal power plants and iron production process such as fly ash and GGBS. To examine the utilization of fly ash and GGBS as a cement substitute, it is necessary to study the standard consistency and setting time of geopolymer paste and workability as well as compressive strength of alkali activated fly ash and slag-based geopolymer concrete. The method used to determine these tests was the same as used for cement. Geopolymer material replaces cement in these tests, and also the activating solution water glass replaces water completely. The variables in the present investigation are the percentage of GGBS in fly ash (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100), silica modulus of water glass (1.99 and 2.92) and concrete age (1, 7 and 28 days). In general, GGBS-based geopolymer concrete is well known for its rapid setting behavior, but the use of neutral grade water glass as activator in the present study resulted in increasing setting times which in turn increased workability of slag-based geopolymer concrete. Results indicated that increasing the slag percentage in fly ash decreased the setting time and slump but increased the compressive strength.

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Correspondence to T. D. Gunneswara Rao.

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Vikas, G., Rao, T.D.G. Setting Time, Workability and Strength Properties of Alkali Activated Fly Ash and Slag Based Geopolymer Concrete Activated with High Silica Modulus Water Glass. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 45, 1483–1492 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00598-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00598-8

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