Effect of ceramic aggregate on high strength multi blended ash geopolymer mortar

Abstract

Geopolymer is a type of amorphous alumino-silicate cementitious material, synthesized by the reaction of an alumina-silicate powder with an alkaline solution. The geopolymer technology has recently attracted increasing attention as a viable solution to reuse and recycle industrial solid wastes and by-products. This paper discusses the performance of geopolymer mortar comprises of multiple blended ash of palm oil fuel ash (POFA), pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) by replacing ordinary Portland cement. Fine aggregate obtained from the ceramic waste was used to partially replace normal sand in the mixture. The concentration of alkaline solution used was 14 Molar. The fresh mortar was cast in 50x50x50 mm cubes geopolymer mortar specimens and cured at ambient temperature for 24 hours. The effects of mass ratios of alkaline solution to multiple blended ashes and percentage of ceramic aggregate as sand replacement on compressive, flexural and tensile strength of mortar were examined. The results revealed that as the multi blended ash (GGBFS: PFA: POFA) mass ratio increased, the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar is increased with regards to the ceramic aggregate properties.