• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.387-405
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• 2018

Geopolymer concrete is a fastest developing field of research for utilizing industrial and agro waste materials as an alternative for Portland cement based concrete. Geopolymers are formed by the alkaline activation of aluminosilicates rich materials termed as geopolymerization. The process of geopolymerization requires elevated temperature curing which restricts its application to precast industry. This review summarizes the work carried out on developing the geopolymer concrete with the addition of various mineral admixtures at ambient curing temperature conditions. An overview of studies promoting the geopolymer concrete in general building construction is presented. Literature study revealed that geopolymer concrete with the addition of admixtures can exhibit desirable properties at ambient temperature conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.115-116
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• 2011

TNowadays, the global warming is the most serious problem in the world and the cement industry is one of the factors which are responsible for it. Therefore, the development of new binders with enhanced environment and durability performance is needed. In this regard, the geopolymer technology is one of the breakthrough developments as an alternative to the portland cement. This paper shows some points of view on the development of geopolymers by reviewing previous researches including historical background, constituents of geopolymers, process of geopolymerization and several applications of geopolymer. Hence, the author proposes two research trends which are finding the best combination between the source materials and alkali liquid then, evaluating the corrosion for the metal bars.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.121-127
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• 2011

In this study, possible use of indigenous natural loess (Hwangtoh) as a new binding material via geopolymerization process is examined. Hwangtoh pastes with four different mix proportions of varying alkali liquid concentrations (6 M, 8 M) and the constituents of the binder as well as the alkali liquid at a constant liquid-to-binder ratio of 0.55 were prepared. Analysis of the natural loess (Hwangtoh) paste was carried out as follows : 1) Measurement of compressive strength and weight of cubic specimens versus curing time; 2) Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) about reaction product; 3) Porosity analysis of hardened Hwangtoh paste. The result showed that it is possible to prepare Hwangtoh paste with 29.1 MPa at the age of 7 day by using alkali solution (made as 1 : 4.5 the mass ratio of liquefied $Na_2SiO_3$ and NaOH solution and applying the curing temperature of $60^{\circ}C$). Compressive strength development with respect to the degree of moisture evaporation from the paste seems to be independent of curing temperature. Therefore, it seems that higher early strength of the paste specimens cured at higher temperature can be attributed to both higher rate of reaction and moisture evaporation.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.49.2-49.2
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• 2008

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.427-437
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• 2012

This article presents the effect of replacement fly ash (FA) with diatomite (DE) on the properties of geopolymer mortars. DE was used to partially replace FA at the levels of 0, 60, 80 and 100% by weight of binder. Sodium silicate ($Na_2SiO_3$) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions were used as the liquid portion in the mixture in order to activate the geopolymerization. The NaOH concentrations of 15M, $Na_2SiO_3$/NaOH ratios of 1.5 by weight, and the alkaline liquid/binder (LB) ratios by weight of 0.40, 0.50, 0.60 and 0.70 were used. The curing at temperature of $75^{\circ}C$ for 24 h was used to accelerate the geopolymerization. The flows of all fresh geopolymer mortars were tested. The compressive strengths and the stress-strain characteristics of the mortar at the age of 7 days, and the unit weights were also tested. The results revealed that the use of DE to replace part of FA as source material in making geopolymer mortars resulted in the increased in the workability, and strain capacity of mortar specimens and in the reductions in the unit weights and compressive strengths. The strain capacity of the mortar increased from 0.0028 to 0.0150 with the increase in the DE replacement levels from 0 to 100%. The mixes with 15M NaOH, $Na_2SiO_3$/NaOH of 1.5, LB ratio of 0.50, and using $75^{\circ}C$ curing temperature showed 7 days compressive strengths 22.0-81.0 MPa which are in the range of normal to high strength mortars.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.503-509
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• 2012

In this study, the potential use of indigenous natural loess(Hwangtoh) as a new construction material, via alkali activation in conjunction with microwave heating, was investigated. Hwangtoh pastes with three different mix proportions of varying alkali liquid concentrations at a constant liquid-to-Hwangtoh ratio of 0.55 were prepared. Through the investigation it was found that it is possible to prepare Hwangtoh paste with $19.02N/mm^2$ at the age of 4 hours with the alkali solution of 8M NaOH and 1:4.5 mass ratio of liquefied $Na_2SiO_3$ at the curing temperature of $60^{\circ}C$ by microwave heating. The strength development at early age of the alkali activated Hwangtoh paste specimens may be attributed to both a higher rate of reaction and moisture evaporation due to microwave heating.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.463-469
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• 2008

Non-sintering cement was manufactured with briquette ash. Alkali activator for compression bodies used a NaOH solution. In order to apply alkali-activated briquette ash and the non-sintering cement to concrete, several experimental studies were performed. It was necessary to study the binder obtained by means of a substitute for the cement. This study concentrated on strength development according to the concentration of NaOH solution, the curing temperature, and the curing time. The highest compressive strength of compression bodies appeared as $353kgf/cm^2$ cured at $80^{\circ}C$ for 28 days. This result indicates that a higher curing temperature is needed to get a higher strength body. Also, geopolymerization was examined by SEM and XRD analysis after the curing of compression bodies. According to SEM and XRD, the main reaction product in the alkali activated briquette ash is aluminosilicate crystal.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2015

The critical element for sustainable growth in the construction industry is the development of alternative cements. A new technological process called geopolymerization provides an innovative solution, and the presence of aluminum and silicon oxides in fly ash has encouraged its use as a source material. Many previous investigations have involved curing the binder in a heated environment. To reduce energy consumption during the synthesis of geopolymers, the present study investigated the properties of ambient cured geopolymer mortar at early ages. An experimental program was executed to establish a relationship between the activator composition and the properties of geopolymer mortar in fresh and hardened states. Concentrations of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were ascertained that are advantageous for constructability and mechanical behavior. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were also used to characterize the material. Test results indicate that there is potential for the concrete industry to use fly ash based geopolymer as an alternative to portland cement.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-60
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• 2015

This paper aimed to investigate the effect of MWCNTs on properties of slag Geopolymeric mortar. Geopolymeric matrices containing different MWCNTs concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 % by weight of the used binder) were synthesized. The Geopolymer mortar composed of aluminosilicate slag to sand (1:2), while the alumino silicate source binder composed of 50% air cooled slag and 50%water cooled slag both passing a sieve of $90{\mu}m$, while the sand passing a sieve of 1 ml. The materials prepared at water/binder ratios in a range of 0.34-0.39% depending on the added MWCNT, whereas the Gelenium Ace-30 superplasticizer used in the ratio of 1.4-2.2% from the total dry weight for better dispersion of MWCNT under sonication for 15 min. Alkaline activation of the Geopolymer mortar was carried by using of 6% NaOH. Curing was performed under temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ and 100% R.H. Results showed that the addition of MWCNTs enhanced the resulting amorphous geopolymer structure with marked decrease in the drying shrinkage as well as water absorption specially when using 0.1% MWCNT, while further increase in MWCNTs results in agglomeration in MWCNT within the matrix and so hinder the propagation of Geopolymerization reaction and negatively affect the formed geopolymer structure.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2012

When a new bonding agent using coal ash is utilized as a substitute for cement, it has the advantages of offering a reduction in the generation of carbon dioxide and securing the initial mechanical strength such that the agent has attracted strong interest from recycling and eco-friendly construction industries. This study aims to establish the production conditions of new hardening materials using clean bottom ash and an alkali activation process to evaluate the characteristics of newly manufactured hardening materials. The alkali activator for the compression process uses a NaOH solution. This study concentrated on strength development according to the concentration of the NaOH solution, the curing temperature, and the curing time. The highest compressive strength of a compressed body appeared at 61.24MPa after curing at $60^{\circ}C$ for 28 days. This result indicates that a higher curing temperature is required to obtain a higher strength body. Also, the degree of geopolymerization was examined using a scanning electron microscope, revealing a micro-structure consisting of a glass-like matrix and crystalized grains. The microstructures generated from the activation reaction of sodium hydroxide were widely distributed in terms of the factors that exercise an effect on the compressive strength of the geopolymer hardening bodies. The Si/Al ratio of the geopolymer having the maximum strength was about 2.41.