Experiment Investigation and Physical Performance of Geopolymer Fly Ash Bricks

Abstract

In India an approximate 400-500 million metric tons of fly ash are generated annually from thermal power plant. Maximum use of fly ash is necessary for the sustainable development. In this research, an attempt has been made to develop a method for manufacture of bricks using fly ash geopolymer technology. The influence of cement content in geopolymer fly ash based bricks has been studied. The fly ash, cement, silica fumes mixed with 2 molar of alkaline solution with varying cement content from 0% to 15% and heat curing at 100°C for 24 hours. Bricks were tested for compressive strength, flexure strength, water absorption, efflorescence. The compressive strength, flexure strength of the bricks increases with increase in with cement content up to certain limit then decreases. Efflorescence of bricks are slight as per IS1077:1992. Water absorption of geopolymer fly ash bricks are within limit as per IS1077:1992.