MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF COMPACTING GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE

Abstract

The present investigation is mainly focused on finding the mechanical properties of self compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGPC) mixes with different molar concentration like 8M, 10M and 12M. The SCGPC mixes were cured at ambient temperature for different ages (7, 28 and 56 days). At different ages, the specimens were kept at an elevated temperature (100, 200, 400, 600 and 800oC) for 2 hours and then testing of the specimens was carried out. Fly ash (class F) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) were used at a ratio of 50:50 as geopolymer binders. Combination of sodium hydroxide (8M, 10M and 12M) and sodium silicate solution was used as an alkaline activator. Compressive strength and splitting tensile strength were studied after 7, 28 and 90 days of curing at ambient room temperature after the completion of oven temperature curing. From the results, it is revealed that the mechanical properties were decreased with the increase in temperature from 1000C to 8000C in all curing periods. It is concluded that the significant decrement in mechanical properties (compressive strength and split tensile strength) up to 8000C is mainly due to continuous moisture loss from the specimens and increase in the average pore size, which produce the lower strength of the concrete.