Abstract:
Increase in emission of carbon dioxide due to different industrial and non-industrial activities
are posing a severe threat to global atmosphere. Cement industry contributes significantly in
emission of carbon dioxide gas during its production. On the other hand, industrial by-products
such as GGBS, fly ash, etc. poses a serious waste disposal problems thus affecting the economy
of the town or nation leading to global environmental impact. Geopolymer concrete is a solution
to this problem. Geopolymer is a class of aluminosilicate binding material synthesized by
thermal activation of solid aluminosilicate base material such as GGBS and fly ash.
Geopolymer concrete is produced due to alkalination of materials rich in aluminium and silicon
with an alkali solution, an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Alkali
solution was varied in different molar concentration as 16 M, 18M, 20M and 22 M with
hydroxide to silicate ratio of 2.5. Two different set of concrete specimens were casted which
were viz. fly ash based only and GGBS together with fly ash in the proportion to 70:30. All the
specimens were cured at 60 °C in oven and accelerated curing tank for 3 days and atmospheric
curing in lab till 28th day. It was observed that, oven dried curing showed a slight higher strength
than steam cured and it was a successful.
