Abstract

The compressive strength development, setting time, and workability of fly ash–based geopolymer were investigated by modifying alkali solution composition, slag replacement percentage, curing temperature, and liquid to binder ratio (L/B). The mechanism of how raw material formulation affects fresh and mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete was discussed based on analysis of the geopolymerization process. Due to the complex reactions involved with the geopolymer formations, a design of experiment (DOE) approach was used to quantify the effects of silica concentration, hydroxide concentration, and slag replacement percentage on setting time, 7-day, and 28-day compressive strength. The prediction models showed excellent agreement with high adjusted R2. The DOE results revealed the following: for setting time, concentration of hydroxide (mol of [OH-]), the interaction of the concentration of silicon (mol of [Si]) and [OH-], and the quadratic (second-order) effect of [Si] were considered significant; for 7-day compressive strength, only [Si], the ground granulated blast-furnace slag to cementitious materials ratio ([GGBS/cem]), and their interaction were found to be significant, whereas [OH-] was considered not significant; for 28-day compressive strength, all factors appeared to become important.

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