The Effect of Different Heat Curing Methods on the Compressive Strength of Fly Ash-based Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete is produced without cement, the main material used is fly ash. The alkaline activator solutions used are sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate Na2SiO3. To make geopolymer concrete having a compressive strength according to the plan, one thing that needs to be done is curing. This study examines the effect of the curing method on fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. Three curing methods, namely conventional, heat curing, and steam curing, were used to determine the effect of temperature differences on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. Cylindrical specimens used 12 M NaOH, Na2SiO3, water, and fly ash in a ratio of 3:1:6:25. The compressive strength of the concrete was tested on the specimens after 28 days. The results showed that there was an increase in the compressive strength of concrete in heat curing and steam curing at temperatures of 50°, 60°, and 70°C by 8-21% for heat curing and 2-4% for steam curing.