Abstract

This study focuses on developing an optimal mix for geopolymer mortar (GPM) using varying molarities of NaOH solution and different binder-to-aggregate ratios. The primary objective was to determine the mix that yields the highest compressive strength. GPM cubes were prepared and subjected to two curing methods – oven curing and steam curing. Compressive strength tests were conducted at 3, 7, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength of GPM cubes increases with NaOH molarity up to 14M, with a significant decline observed at 16M. A binder-to-aggregate ratio of 2.5 was identified as the most effective, providing maximum strength, especially when combined with 14M NaOH. Oven-cured specimens consistently displayed higher compressive strength compared to steam-cured ones, due to enhanced polymerization at elevated temperatures. The findings suggest that a 14M NaOH solution with a 2.5 binder-to-aggregate ratio, combined with oven curing, produces the most robust geopolymer matrix. This optimized mix has potential applications in the development of ferro-geopolymer composite elements for sustainable and durable construction materials.

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1. Sekar R, Chokalingham S, Sethunarayan R. Ferrocement for canal lining. In: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Ferrocement; 1988; Roorkee, India. p. 199–206.
2. ACI 549.1 R-93: Guide for the Design, Construction and Repair of Ferrocement, American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
3. Ferrocement Applications in Developing Countries: A Report of an Ad Hoc Panel of the Advisory Committee on Technological Innovation, Board on Science and Technology for International Development Office of the Foreign Secretary National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC. 1973;13–14.
4. Paul BK, Pama RP. Ferrocement, IFIC Publishing; 1978.
5. Energy to 2050: Scenarios for a Sustainable Future, International Energy Agency, IEA Publications, 9, ISBN 92-64-01904-9, 2003.
6. Hardjito D, Wallah SE, Sumajouw DMJ, Rangan BV. Development of fly ash-based GPC. ACI Mater J. 2004;101(6):467–472.
7. Bilek V. Preparation and stability of alkali-activated materials from slag and fly ashes. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H. 2010:11–20.
8. Arioz O, Kilinc K, Tuncan M, Tuncan A, Kavas T. Physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of f-type fly-ash based geopolymeric bricks produced by pressure forming process. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:69–75.
9. Rukzon S, Chindaprasirt. Strength and porosity of bagasse ash-based geopolymer mortar. J Appl Sci. 2014;14(6):586–591.
10. Ganesan N, Abraham R, Raj SD. Durability porosity of bagasse ash-based geopolymer mortar GPC. Constr Build Mater. 2015;93:471–476.
11. Thampi T, Sreevidya V, Venkatasubramani R. Strength studies on geopolymer mortar for ferro geopolymer water tank. Int J Adv Struct Geotech. 2014;3(2).
12. Nagan S, Mohana R. Behaviour of geopolymer ferrocement slabs subjected to impact. March 2014Iranian Journal of Science and Technology - Transactions of Civil Engineering 38(C1):223-233
13. Sreevidya V. Flexural behaviour of geopolymer ferrocement elements. Asian J Civ Eng. 2014;15(4):563–574.
14. Venkataraman S, Sabna J, Venkatasubramani R. Mechanical properties of fibrous geopolymer mortar in relation with curing conditions. International Journal of Civil & Structural Engineering. 2014;4(3):365–371. Available from: https://www.indianjournals.com
15. Rattanasak U, Chindaprasirt P. Influence of NaOH solution on the synthesis of fly ash geopolymer. Minerals Engineering, 2009;22:1073–1078.
16. Bignozzi1 MC,Barbieri L, Lancellotti I. New geopolymers based on electric arc furnace slag. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H. 2010:117–123.
17. Astutiningsih S, Nurjaya DM, Ashadi HW, Swastika N. Durability of GPC upon seawater exposure. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:92–97.
18. Sagoe–Crentsil K, Trevor B, Yan S. Medium to long term engineering properties and performance of highstrength geopolymers for structural applications. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:135–143.
19. Prabir S. Bond strengths of geopolymer and cement concretes. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:143–152.
20. Hardjito D, Wallah SE, Sumajouw DMJ, Rangan BV. Factors influencing the compressive strength of fly ash based GPC. Civ Eng Dimens. 2004;6(2):88–93.
21. Kumar C, Murari K, Sharma CR. Performance of GPC at elevated temperature and against aggressive chemical environment. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol. 2014;3(6):366–373.
22. Li X, Wang Z, Jiao Z. Influence of curing on the strength development of calcium-containing geopolymer mortar. Materials. 2013;6:5069–5076.
23. Pan Z, Sanjayan JG, Rangan BV. An investigation of the mechanisms for strength gain or loss of geopolymer mortar after exposure to elevated temperature. J Mater Sci. 2009;44:1873–1880.
24. Patankar SV, Ghugal YM, Jamkar SS. Effect of concentration of sodium hydroxide and degree of heat curing on fly ash-based geopolymer mortar. Indian J Mater Sci. 2014;2014:1-6. DOI: 10.1155/2014/938789.
25. Rangan BV. GPC for environmental protection. Indian Concr J. 2014;88(4):41–59.
26. ASTM C618 – 08a: Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete.
27. IS 383-1970: Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregates from Natural Sources for Concrete.
28. IS 516-1959: Specification for Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete.
29. Rangan BV. Mix Design and Production of Fly-ash based GPC. Indian Concr J. 2008;82(5):7–15.

Abstract

This study focuses on developing an optimal mix for geopolymer mortar (GPM) using varying molarities of NaOH solution and different binder-to-aggregate ratios. The primary objective was to determine the mix that yields the highest compressive strength. GPM cubes were prepared and subjected to two curing methods – oven curing and steam curing. Compressive strength tests were conducted at 3, 7, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength of GPM cubes increases with NaOH molarity up to 14M, with a significant decline observed at 16M. A binder-to-aggregate ratio of 2.5 was identified as the most effective, providing maximum strength, especially when combined with 14M NaOH. Oven-cured specimens consistently displayed higher compressive strength compared to steam-cured ones, due to enhanced polymerization at elevated temperatures. The findings suggest that a 14M NaOH solution with a 2.5 binder-to-aggregate ratio, combined with oven curing, produces the most robust geopolymer matrix. This optimized mix has potential applications in the development of ferro-geopolymer composite elements for sustainable and durable construction materials.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Sekar R, Chokalingham S, Sethunarayan R. Ferrocement for canal lining. In: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Ferrocement; 1988; Roorkee, India. p. 199–206.
2. ACI 549.1 R-93: Guide for the Design, Construction and Repair of Ferrocement, American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
3. Ferrocement Applications in Developing Countries: A Report of an Ad Hoc Panel of the Advisory Committee on Technological Innovation, Board on Science and Technology for International Development Office of the Foreign Secretary National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC. 1973;13–14.
4. Paul BK, Pama RP. Ferrocement, IFIC Publishing; 1978.
5. Energy to 2050: Scenarios for a Sustainable Future, International Energy Agency, IEA Publications, 9, ISBN 92-64-01904-9, 2003.
6. Hardjito D, Wallah SE, Sumajouw DMJ, Rangan BV. Development of fly ash-based GPC. ACI Mater J. 2004;101(6):467–472.
7. Bilek V. Preparation and stability of alkali-activated materials from slag and fly ashes. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H. 2010:11–20.
8. Arioz O, Kilinc K, Tuncan M, Tuncan A, Kavas T. Physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of f-type fly-ash based geopolymeric bricks produced by pressure forming process. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:69–75.
9. Rukzon S, Chindaprasirt. Strength and porosity of bagasse ash-based geopolymer mortar. J Appl Sci. 2014;14(6):586–591.
10. Ganesan N, Abraham R, Raj SD. Durability porosity of bagasse ash-based geopolymer mortar GPC. Constr Build Mater. 2015;93:471–476.
11. Thampi T, Sreevidya V, Venkatasubramani R. Strength studies on geopolymer mortar for ferro geopolymer water tank. Int J Adv Struct Geotech. 2014;3(2).
12. Nagan S, Mohana R. Behaviour of geopolymer ferrocement slabs subjected to impact. March 2014Iranian Journal of Science and Technology - Transactions of Civil Engineering 38(C1):223-233
13. Sreevidya V. Flexural behaviour of geopolymer ferrocement elements. Asian J Civ Eng. 2014;15(4):563–574.
14. Venkataraman S, Sabna J, Venkatasubramani R. Mechanical properties of fibrous geopolymer mortar in relation with curing conditions. International Journal of Civil & Structural Engineering. 2014;4(3):365–371. Available from: https://www.indianjournals.com
15. Rattanasak U, Chindaprasirt P. Influence of NaOH solution on the synthesis of fly ash geopolymer. Minerals Engineering, 2009;22:1073–1078.
16. Bignozzi1 MC,Barbieri L, Lancellotti I. New geopolymers based on electric arc furnace slag. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H. 2010:117–123.
17. Astutiningsih S, Nurjaya DM, Ashadi HW, Swastika N. Durability of GPC upon seawater exposure. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:92–97.
18. Sagoe–Crentsil K, Trevor B, Yan S. Medium to long term engineering properties and performance of highstrength geopolymers for structural applications. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:135–143.
19. Prabir S. Bond strengths of geopolymer and cement concretes. In: Proceedings of 12th International Ceramic Congress, Part H, 2010:143–152.
20. Hardjito D, Wallah SE, Sumajouw DMJ, Rangan BV. Factors influencing the compressive strength of fly ash based GPC. Civ Eng Dimens. 2004;6(2):88–93.
21. Kumar C, Murari K, Sharma CR. Performance of GPC at elevated temperature and against aggressive chemical environment. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol. 2014;3(6):366–373.
22. Li X, Wang Z, Jiao Z. Influence of curing on the strength development of calcium-containing geopolymer mortar. Materials. 2013;6:5069–5076.
23. Pan Z, Sanjayan JG, Rangan BV. An investigation of the mechanisms for strength gain or loss of geopolymer mortar after exposure to elevated temperature. J Mater Sci. 2009;44:1873–1880.
24. Patankar SV, Ghugal YM, Jamkar SS. Effect of concentration of sodium hydroxide and degree of heat curing on fly ash-based geopolymer mortar. Indian J Mater Sci. 2014;2014:1-6. DOI: 10.1155/2014/938789.
25. Rangan BV. GPC for environmental protection. Indian Concr J. 2014;88(4):41–59.
26. ASTM C618 – 08a: Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete.
27. IS 383-1970: Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregates from Natural Sources for Concrete.
28. IS 516-1959: Specification for Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete.
29. Rangan BV. Mix Design and Production of Fly-ash based GPC. Indian Concr J. 2008;82(5):7–15.