Influence of composition and concentration of alkaline activator on the properties of natural-pozzolan based green concrete

Mohammed Ibrahim*, Megat Azmi Megat Johari, Mohammed Maslehuddin, Muhammed Kalimur Rahman, Babatunde Abiodun Salami, Hatim Dafalla Mohamed

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The chemical constituents of precursor materials, the composition and concentration of alkaline activators, volume of free water, and curing conditions are some of the mix design variables that influence the fresh and hardened properties of alkali-activated binders (AABs). To achieve desirable engineering properties and long-term performance of an AAB under various exposure conditions, each of these variables has to be carefully controlled. The reported research focused on the influence of concentration and composition of alkaline activators on the properties of natural pozzolan (NP)-based AAB. Since the molarity of sodium hydroxide (SH) and the ratio of sodium silicate (SS) to sodium hydroxide (SH) influence the properties of an AAB, the NP-based AABs were prepared by varying the SS to SH ratio from 2.0 to 2.75, at an increment of 0.25, and the molarity of SH from 8 to 14. The developed AAC specimens were tested to evaluate the strength development and the binder was characterized using SEM, XRD and FTIR techniques. A SS/SH ratio of 2.5 and 14 M SH solution were required to obtain maximum strength and dense microstructure. In addition, it was established that there exists an optimum silica modulus of the combined activator that results in faster polymerization of the precursor material.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)186-195
Number of pages10
JournalConstruction and Building Materials
Volume201
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alkali-activated binder
  • Mineralogical composition
  • Molarity of sodium hydroxide
  • Morphology
  • Natural pozzolan
  • Silica modulus
  • Strength development

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