International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

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AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON STRENGTH PARAMETERS

OF FLYASH BASED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE WITH GGBS
P.Vignesh1, K.Vivek 2
1PG Scholar, Department of Structural , Paavai Engineering College ,Tamilnadu, India
Assistant Professor, Department of civil Engineering, Paavai Engineering College, Tamilnadu, India
2

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Abstract— Concrete is the most abundant manmade in concrete. These efforts include the utilization of
material in the world. One of the main ingredients in a supplementary cementing materials such as fly ash, silica
normal concrete mixture is Portland cement. However, fume, granulated blast furnace slag, rice-husk ash and
the production of cement is responsible for metakaolin, and finding alternative binders to Portland
approximately 5% of the world’s carbon dioxide cement. In terms of reducing the global warming, the geo-
emissions. In order to create a more sustainable world, polymer technology could reduce the carbon-di-oxide
engineers and scientists must develop and put into use a emission to the atmosphere caused by Cement about 80%.
green building material. Geopolymer concrete is also In this project ,the effort was made to study the strength
much more durable that ordinary concrete due to its parameters of geo-polymer concrete.
resistance to corrosion. It is also much stronger than
ordinary concrete. Geopolymer concrete is a 1.2 Origin Of Term ‘Geopolymer’
revolutionary sustainable building material that will The term ‘‘Geopolymer’’ was first introduced to the world
pave the way for green building. In this paper an by Davidovits of France resulting in a new field of research
attempt is made to study strength properties of and technology. Geopolymer also known as ‘inorganic
geopolymer concrete using low calcium fly ash polymer’, has emerged as a ‘green’ binder with wide
replacing with slag in 5 different percentages. Sodium potentials for manufacturing sustainable materials for
silicate (103 kg/m3) and sodium hydroxide of 8 environmental, refractory and construction applications.
molarity (41kg/m3) solutions were used as alkaline Geopolymer concrete (gpc) :
solution in all 5 different mixes. The investigations are Ingredients required for creation of geopolymer binders are:
to be carried for the Compressive strength, Split tensile - Geopolymer source materials such as fly ash, ggbs,
strength, Flexural strength test on the concrete metakaolin, rice husk ash, etc
specimens. Hopefully one day in the near future - Aggregate system consisting of fine and coarse
geopolymer concrete will replace ordinary Portland aggregate
cement as the most abundant man-made material on - Alkaline Activator Solution
earth.
1.3 Properties Of Geo-Polymer Concrete
Keywords— Origin of term Geopolymer, fly ash, ggbs,
alkaline liquid, design mix proportion, preparation of Geopolymer are inorganic binders, which are identified by the
alkaline solutions, ambient curing, strength following basic properties,
parameters, geopolmer concrete Compressive strength depends on curing time and
curing temperature. As the curing time and temperature
1.INTRODUCTION increases, the compressive strength increases.
Resistance to corrosion, since no limestone is used
1.1 General as a material, Geopolymer cement has excellent properties
within both acid and salt environments. It is especially suitable
Concrete is one of the most widely used for tough environmental conditions.
construction material. Portland cement production is a Geopolymer specimens are possessing better
major contributor to carbon-di-oxide emissions. The global durability and thermal stability characteristics.
warming is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases,
such as carbon-di-oxide, to the atmosphere by human 1.4 Salient Features Of Geo-Polymer Concrete
activities.Among the greenhouse gases, carbon-di-oxide  Geopolymer concrete reduced CO2 emissions of
contributes about 65% of global warming. Many efforts are geopolymer cements make them a good
being made in order to reduce the use of Portland cement alternative to ordinary Portland cement.
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 The mechanical behavior of Geo-polymer concrete geopolymer concrete.90% of compressive strength was
is higher than nominal concrete mix. achieved in 14 days.
 Durability property of Geo-polymer concrete is
higher than the nominal concrete mix. Supraja .V, M. KantaRao presented a study of geopolymer
 Geo-polymer Concrete is Eco-Friendly. concrete, the portland cement is fully replaced with GGBS
 Water absorption property is lesser than the and alkaline liquids (sodium hydroxide and sodium
nominal concrete. silicate) are used for the binding of materials. Different
molarities of sodium hydroxide solutions i.e. 3M, 5M, 7M
1.5. Need For The Study and 9M are considered. The strength of geopolymer
increases with increase of molarity of sodium hydroxide.
 To find an alternative for the ordinary Portland SundarKumar, S.Vasugi summarized the development of
cement. low concentration alkali activator geopolymer concrete
 To reduce CO2 emission and produce eco-friendly mixes and the results of tests conducted to determine the
concrete. mechanical properties such has compressive
 To develop a cost efficient product.
 To provide high strength concrete than ordinary Parthiban.K, K.Saravanarajamohan presented the
Portland concrete. influence of the various proportions of GGBS (0-100%) on
Fly Ash based GPC; the effect of the amount of Alkaline
1.6. Objectives: Activated Solution (AAS) in the mixture of GPC on their
compressive strength is studied under ambient
 To make a concrete without using cement (i.e. temperature conditions.
Geopolymer concrete).
 To study the different strength properties of geo- Gokulram.H, R.Anuradha presented the results of an
polymer concrete with percentage replacement of experimental investigation and compare on the
GGBS. mechanical properties of different binder composition
 To evaluate the optimum mix proportion of Geo- (100% replacement of cement by ASTM class F Fly ash
polymer concrete with fly ash replaced in various (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)) of
percentage by GGBS. Geopolymer Concrete Composites (GPCC). The study
 To compare the cost variation of geo-polymer analyses of polypropylene fibre on the mechanical
concrete with normal concrete. properties of hardened GPCC.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Palaniappan. A,S.Vasantha discussed the results of an

2.1 General experimental investigation and compare on the
In this chapter study of geo-polymer concrete and the mechanical properties of different binder composition (17
application of are discussed using following research TO 20 % replacement of cement by ground granulated
articles are presented. blast furnace slag (GGBS)) of Geopolymer Concrete
Composites (GPCC). The test results show that GGBS
2.2 Geo-Polymers concrete shown increase in compressive strength of
In 1978, Davidovits et al proposed that an alkaline liquid 13.82% as compared with conventional concrete.
could be used to react with the silicon (Si) and the
aluminium (Al) in a source material of geological origin or Prof.Pratap,Krishnan concluded the experimental
in by- product materials such as fly ash and GGBS to investigation FLY ASH and BLAST FURNACE SLAG are used
in equal proportion (50% each).The geopolymer concrete
produce binders.
gains about 60-70% of the total compressive strength
within 7days.
2.3 Literatures On Geopolymer:
Ganapati Naidu. P, A.S.S.N.Prasad reported in this paper
3. MATERIALS
that an attempt is made to study strength properties of 3.1 General
geopolymer concrete using low calcium fly ash replacing In this chapter varies materials and method of conducting
with slag in 5 different percentages. Higher concentrations the test was discussed in detail and detailed methodology
of G.G.B.S (Slag) result in higher compressive strength of of the work was presented.

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The chemical composition of the ordinary Portland cement

3.2 Materials Used and the chemical composition of GGBS is compared and
 Fly ash discussed below in Table2.
 Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)
 Chemicals Table 2 .Chemical composition of ggbs
-Sodium hydroxide
-Sodium silicate Chemical constitution Cement (%) GGBS (%)
 Superplasticizer
 Aggregates Calcium oxide (CaO) 65 40
Silicon di-oxide (SiO2) 20 35
-Fine aggregate Aluminum oxide(Al2o3) 5 10
Magnesium oxide(MgO) 2 8
- Coarse aggregate

3.2.1 Fly Ash 3.2.3Alkaline Liquid

A combination of alkaline silicate solution and alkaline
Fly ash is one of the most abundant materials on the Earth. hydroxide solution was chosen as the alkaline liquid.
It is also a crucial ingredient in the creation of geopolymer Sodium-based solutions were chosen because they were
concrete due to its role in the geopolymerization process. cheaper than Potassium-based solutions.
A pozzolan is a material that exhibits cementitious
properties when combined with calcium hydroxide. Fly 3.2.4 Chemicals
ash is the main by product created from the combustion of In this project chemicals are the very important
coal in coal-fired power plants. There are two “classes” of constituents. Sodium Silicate and Sodium Hydroxide liquid
fly ash, Class F and Class C. Each class of fly ash has its own are obtained commercially from local suppliers in Salem.
unique properties.The chemical composition of fly ash are
shown in the table 1 3.2.4.1 Sodium Hydroxide
The sodium hydroxide solids were of a
Table 1.Chemical Composition Of Fly Ash laboratory grade in pellets form with 99% purity, obtained
OXIDES PERCENTAGE from local suppliers. The sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Sio2 52.0 solution was prepared by dissolving the pellets (a small,
Al2O3 33.9 rounded, compressed mass of a substance of sodium
Fe2O3 4.0 hydroxide)in water. The mass of sodium hydroxide solids
CaO 1.2 in a solution varied depending on the concentration of the
K2O 0.83 solution expressed in terms of molar, M. For instance,
Na2O 0.27 sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 8M
MgO 0.81 consisted of 8x40 = 320 grams of sodium hydroxide solids
SO3 0.28 (in pellet form) per liter of the solution, where 40 is the
LOI 6.23 molecular weight of sodium hydroxide.
SiO2/Al2O3 1.5
3.2.4.2 Sodium Silicate
Sodium silicate solution (water glass) obtained
3.2.2 Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
from local suppliers was used. The chemical composition
Ground granulated blast furnace slag comprises mainly of
of the sodium silicate solution was Na2O=8%, SiO2=28%,
calcium oxide, silicon di-oxide, aluminium oxide,
and water 64% by mass. The mixture of sodium silicate
magnesium oxide. It has the same main chemical
solution and sodium hydroxide solution forms the alkaline
constituents as ordinary portland cement but in different
liquid.
proportions.And the addition of G.G.B.S in Geo-Polymer
Concrete increases the strength of the concrete and also
curing of Geo-Polymer concrete at room temperature is 3.2.5. Mechanical action Of Superplasticizer
possible. Superplasticizers are water reducers which are capable of
Chemical Composition reducing water contents by about 30 percent. However it
is to be noted that full efficiency of superplasticizer can be
got only when it is added to a mix that has an initial slump
of 20 to 30mm. Addition of superplasticizer to stiff

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concrete mix reduces its water reducing efficiency. Table 4 . Properties of Coarse aggregates
Depending on the solid content of the mixture, a dosage of
1 to 3 percent by weight of cement is advisable. In this S.No Characteristics Values
present investigation, a superplasticizer namely
CONPLAST SP 430 has been used for obtaining workable
concrete at low w/c ratio. CONPLAST SP 430 is based upon 1. Type Crushed
NSF condensates used for this study.The mechanism
consists of very large molecules (colloidal size) which 2. Specific gravity 2.6
dissolve in water to produce ions with high negative
charge (anions).
3. Bulk Density 1765 kg/m3
3.2.6 Aggregates
The aggregates are the main components of the concrete 4. Fineness modulus 6.45
which greatly varies the strength, density and other
properties of the concrete. Different types of aggregates
used are discussed below. 5. Maximum size 20mm

3.2.6.1 Fine Aggregate

The fine aggregate used in the project was locally supplied 4.METHODOLOGY
and conformed to grading zone II as per IS: 383:1970. It
was first sieved through 4.75mm sieve to remove any The methodology explains about the step by step
particles greater than 4.75mm. Properties of the fine procedure that is going to be done in the project. The
aggregate are tabulated below in Table 3. methodology is explained in the following figure.

Table 3. Properties of fine aggregates

Literature Review
S.No Characteristics Values

Collection of Materials
1. Type Uncrushed (natural)

2. Specific gravity 2.54 Test conducted on Materials

3. Bulk Density 1668 kg/m3

Trail mix design

4. Fineness modulus 2.76 Casting of specimen

5. Grading zone Zone II Testing of specimen

Results and observations

3.2.6.2 Coarse Aggregate

Locally available coarse aggregate having the maximum Conclusion

size of (10 - 20mm) were used in this project. Properties of
the coarse aggregate are tabulated in Table 4.
Fig -1: Methodology Of Geopolymer Concrete

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5.MIX PROPORTION AND EXPERIMENTAL the composition of binder solids (GGBS & flyash) Table 5
INVESTIGATION shows the various mix proportions of Geo-polymer
concrete.The primary objective or performing the trial and
5.1 Introduction error procedure was to obtain a good cohesive mix with
satisfactory workability.
In this chapter mix design of Geo-polymer concrete and
the experimental investigation carried out on the test Table 5. Proportion Of Adding Cementitious Materials
specimen to study the strength related properties of geo- For PreparationOf Geopolymer Concrete
polymer concrete was discussed in detail.The BINDER (%)
experimental test for strength properties of concrete are MIX ID FLYASH GGBS
compressive strength, split tensile strength, Flexural M1 100 -
strength test of concrete. Based on the test procedure M2 90 10
given in IS 516-1959 code tests were conducted on
M3 80 20
specimens.
M4 70 30
5.2 Mix Proportion For Geo-Polymer Concrete M5 60 40
Most of the reported works on geo-polymer material to
date were related to the properties of geo-polymer paste 5.5 Geo-Polymer Mix Design
or mortar, measured by using small size specimens. In
addition, the complete details of the mixture compositions A sample of mix design was shown that the aggregates
of the geo-polymer paste were not reported.Palomo et al occupy the largest volume,(about 75-80% by mass) in
(1999) studied the geo-polymerization of low-calcium GPCs. The silicon and the aluminum in the fly ash are
ASTM Class F fly ash (molar Si/Al=1.81) using four activated by a combination of sodium hydroxide and
different solutions with the solution-to-fly ash ratio by sodium silicate.
mass of 0.25 to 0.40. The molar SiO2/K2O or SiO2/Na2O of
the solutions was in the range of 0.63 to 1.23.
Mix Proportions Value

CONSITUENTS DENSITY (KG/M3)

5.3 Preparation Of Alkaline Activator Solution
The mixture of sodium silicate solution and sodium Coarse aggregate 1294
hydroxide solution forms the alkaline liquid.A combination Fine aggregate 554
of alkaline silicate solution and alkaline hydroxide solution
Fly ash 408
was chosen as the alkaline liquid. sodium-based solutions
were chosen because they were cheaper than potassium- Sodium silicate 103
based solutions. The Alkali activator solution has to be Sodium hydroxide 41
prepared 24 hours advance before use. The Sodium
Super plasticizer 6.12
hydroxide is available in small flakes and Sodium Silicate
in crystal forms depending on the required solution of
different morality has to be prepared. 6.RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
The various strength test that are to be done listed as
5.4 Design Of Geo-Polymer Concrete below.
Some of the trials carried out indicated that the
workability and strength characteristics of such mixes  Compressive strength
were not satisfactory. Such a thing is possible because GPC  Split tensile strength
involves more constituents in its binder (GGBS,flyash,  Flexural strength
Sodium silicate, Sodium hydroxide and water), whose Test Specimens
interactions and final structure and chemical composition The test specimens for compressive strength test were
are strongly dependent on the source of the material and made of cubes having a size of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm
their production process. Therefore the formulation of the cast iron steel moulds were used. For each mix proportion
GPC mixture was done by trial and error basis. Numerous three numbers of cubes were cast and tested at the age of 7
trial mixes were cast and tested for compressive strength days and 28 days. The test specimens for split tensile
at the end of 28 days. The ratio of AAS to binder solids and strength test were made of cylinders having a size of

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100mm diameter and 300mm high cast iron moulds were 6.2 Split Tensile Strength
used. For each mix proportion three numbers of cylinders The variation of split tensile strength at the age of 28th
were cast and tested at 28 days. The test specimens for days with optimum percentage of GGBS and Flyash were
Flexural strength test were made of prism having a size of given below.It was observed that the maximum split
500mm x 100mm x 100mm cast iron steel moulds were tensile strength was obtained for mix M2 with 30 % GGBS
used. For each mix proportion three numbers of prisms and 70% flyash.
were cast and tested at the age of 28 days. Table 6 shows
the Details of test specimen Table 6.2. Split TensileStrength

Table 6. Details of Test Specimen Split tensile

SIZE OF No. OF MIX Binder (%) strength
S.NO NAME OF TEST SPECIMEN SPECIMEN ID (N/mm2)
(mm) FLYASH GGBS 28th Day
M1 100 - 1.92
1 Compressive 150 x 150 x 36 M2 90 10 3.15
Strength 150 M3 80 20 3.91
M4 70 30 4.37
2 Split tensile test 150 x 300 18 M5 60 40 5.94
CM - - 4.20

3 Flexural strength 500 x 100 x 18

test 100
Total 72
6.3 Flexural Strength
The results of flexural strength of concrete at the age of 28
days are presented in Table6.3. The variations in flexural
6.1 Compressive Strength Test strength at the age of 28 days with different percentage of
GGBS and Flyash were plotted .From the test results, it was
The variation of compressive strength at the age
observed that when the percentage of GGBS increases, the
of 7th and 28th days with optimum percentage of GGBS
flexural strength of concrete also increases. On the
and flyash were given below in Table6.1 From the test
contrary, the strength decreases when the percentage of
results, it was observed that the maximum compressive
flyash increases.
strength was obtained for mix M2 with 30% GGBS and
70% flyash.
Table 6.3 . Flexural strength values
Table 6.1 Compressive Strength results
MIX Binder (%) Flexural
Compressive
ID strength
MIX FLYASH GGBS strength
(N/mm2)
ID (%) (%) N/mm2
GGBS 28th Day
7th Day 28th
M1 100 - 2.40
Day
M1 100 - 12.88 16.30 M2 90 10 3.58
M3 80 20 4.16
M2 90 10 18.67 21.11
M4 70 30 4.68
M3 80 20 26.85 34.32 M5 60 40 5.97
M4 70 30 37.33 42.48 CM1 - - 4.45
M5 60 40 42.77 45.55
CM - - 25.06 36.84 Suggestions For Future Work

 Studies can be made on its durability property

and to improve its workability characteristics.

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 Fiber reinforced Geopolymer composites may be Concrete” International Journal of Engineering and
considered a solution to improve flexural strength Technology (IJET) Volume 5.
and fracture toughness.
[5]Dr.A.Palaniappan,S.Vasantha,S.SivaPrakasan,S.Prabhu(2
 Since there is demand for natural sand, the fine 013) “GGBS as Alternative to OPC in Concrete as an
aggregate shall be replaced partially by quarry Environment Pollution Reduction Approach” International
dust. Journal of Engineering Research and Technology (IJERT)
 Different structural elements like Geopolymer Volume 2 Issue 6.
Concrete Beam, Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete
Beam, Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Columns, [6]D.B.Rajiwala,H.S.Patil(2011)“Geopolymer Concrete : A
Reinforced Beam Column joints shall be cast for Concrete Of Next Decade” Journal of Engineering Studies
the above mentioned concentrations of Sodium and Research (JERS) Vol. II Issue 1.
Hydroxide solution and curing conditions and
tested. [7]R.Anuradha,R.Venkatasubramani and
B.V.Rangan(2012)“Modified guidelines for geopolymer
concrete mix design using Indian Standard” – Asian Journal
7.CONCLUSION of Civil Engineering( Building and Housing), Volume 13.

Based on the experimental investigation the following [8]M. I. Abdul Aleem, P. D. Arumairaj, “GEOPOLYMER
conclusions are listed below: CONCRETE-A REVIEW”, International Journal of
Engineering Sciences & Emerging Technologies, Feb 2012.
The optimum replacement level of fly ash by GGBS in GPC ISSN: 2231 – 6604 Volume 1, Issue 2.
will be carried out. Water absorption property is lesser
than the nominal concrete. Achieving strength in a short [9]Raijiwala D.B, Patil H, “GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE: A
time i.e. 70% of the compressive strength in first 4 hours CONCRETE OF NEXT DECADE” Journal of Engineering
of setting. Determines the different strength properties of Research and Studies.
geo-polymer concrete with percentage replacement of
GGBS.
[10]IS CODES:
 IS 10262:2009; Mix design of concrete.
REFERENCES
 IS 456:2000; Plain and Reinforced
[1]P.GanapatiNaidu,A.S.S.N.Prasad,P.V.V.Satayanarayana(2 concrete code of Practice.
012)“A Study On Strength Properties Of Geopolymer
 IS 383:1970; Specification for coarse and
Concrete With Addition Of G.G.B.S” International Journal of
Engineering Research and Development Volume 2, Issue 4, fine aggregates from natural sources for
concrete
PP. 19-28.
[2]S.SundarKumar,J.Vasugi,P.S.Ambily and  IS 516: 1959; Methods of tests for
B.H.Bharatkumar(2013) Development and Determination Strength of concrete
of Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash And Slag Blended Geo
Polymer Concrete” International Journal of Scientific &
Engineering Research, Volume 4, Issue 8.

[3]Prof.PratapKrishnarao(2013)“Design of Geopolymer
Concrete” International Journal of Innovation Research in
Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET) Volume 2
Issue 5.

[4]K.Parthiban,K.Saravanarajamohan,S.Shobana,A.AnchaB
haskar (2013)“Effect of Replacement of Slag on the
Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash Based Geopolymer

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BIOGRAPHIES

Vignesh. P is a PG scholar in the

field of Department of Structural
Engineering , Paavai Engineering
College , India. . Holding a
bachelors degree in paavai
Engineering college, affiliated to
Anna University Chennai, in the
year 2013. My current research is
undertaken on An Eperimental
investigation on strength
parameters of flyash based
geopolymer concrete with ggbs.
He has published many papers on
various International
conferences.

Vivek.k is a postgraduate degree

holder in structural engineering
working as an Assistant Professor
in the department of Civil
Engineering at Paavai
Engineering College, Namakkal
for the past two years.He Got
university ranking in both UG and
PG. He has published many
papers on various International
journals and International
conferences.

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