• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2022

This study proposes the deconvolution method for the nanoindentation test results of geopolymer employing the Gaussian mixture model. Geopolymer has been studied extensively as an alternative construction material because it emits relatively lower CO₂ compared to ordinary Portland cement. Geopolymer is made of aluminosilicate and alkaline solution, and the Si/Al molar ratio affects its mechanical properties. Previous studies revealed that the Si/Al molar ratio of 1.8~2.0 results in the highest compressive strength, and the Si/Al molar ratio over 1.8 degrades the compressive strength of geopolymer severely; however the reason for the compressive strength degradation is still unclear. To understand the effect of the Si/Al molar ratio on the geopolymer structure, this study exploits the nanoindentation. The phase deconvolution of the indent modulus data is successful using the Gaussian mixture model, and it is observed that the Si/Al molar ratio alters the homogeneity of the geopolymer. Geopolymer becomes more homogeneous up to an Si/Al molar ratio of 1.8 at which geopolymer exhibits the highest compressive strength. The examination of this study is assumed to be adopted as evidence of strength degradation by the Si/Al ratio higher than the optimum value.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2016

In this work, pozzolanic activities of various waste materials were compared with those of well-known by-product pozzolanic materials. Undensified and densified silica fume, ASTM class F and class C fly ash, and metakaolin were chosen as well-known pozzolanic materials, and bentonite powder, ceramic powder obtained from wash basin, and waste glass wool, which can possibly possess pozzolanic property, were chosen for comparison. Drop in electrical conductivity at $40^{\circ}C$ saturated lime solution was measured for each materials. The amount of Ca(OH)2 decomposed from cement paste at $450{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ was also measured to evaluate pozzolanic activity. The 28 day compressive strength were used to observe the mechanical property enhanced by incorporation of various waste materials. According to the experimental results, using "difference between maximum conductivity value and conductivity value at 4 hour" was found to be a reasonable approach to determine pozzolanic activity of a material. Pozzolanic activity measured using electrical conductivity correlates very well with that measured using the amount of Ca(OH)2 remained in the cement paste. Relatively good agreement was also found with electrical conductivity and 28 day compressive strength. It was found that electrical conductivity measurement can be used to evaluate pozzolanic activity of unknown materials.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.73-81
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• 2016

Geopolymers produced from aluminosilicate materials such as metakaolin and coal ash react with alkali activators and show higher fire resistance than portland cement, due to amorphous inorganic polymer. The percentage of thermal shrinkage of geopolymers ranges from less than 0.5 % to about 3 % until $600^{\circ}C$, and reaches about 5 ~ 7 % before melting. In this study, geopolymers paste having Si/Al = 1.5 and being mixed with carbon nanofibers, silicon carbide, pyrex glass, and vermiculite, and ISO sand were studied in order to understand the compressive strength and the effects of thermal shrinkage of geopolymers. The compressive strength of geopolymers mixed by carbon nanofibers, silicon carbide, pyrex glass, or vermiculite was similar in the range from 35 to 40 MPa. The average compressive strength of a geopolymers mixed with 30 wt.% of ISO sand was lowest of 28 MPa. Thermal shrinkage of geopolymers mixed with ISO sand decreased to about 25 % of paste. This is because the aggregate particles expanded on firing and to compensate the shrinkage of paste. The densification of the geopolymer matrix and the increase of porosity by sintering at $900^{\circ}C$ were observed regardless of fillers.