Technical Papers
Sep 7, 2021

Performance Assessment of Graphene Oxide–Reinforced Sustainable Geopolymer Concrete

Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 11

Abstract

Geopolymers, known as the next generation binder, are gaining the interest of contemporary researchers due to their superior strength and durability properties compared with ordinary portland cement (OPC). The current investigation aims to develop a greener geopolymer concrete (GC) containing waste materials as a replacement to fine and coarse aggregates. Waste foundry sand (WFS), an industrial waste, has been used as partial replacement to normal sand, whereas natural coarse aggregates were partially to fully replaced by recycled concrete aggregates (RCA). In addition, indigenously synthesized graphene oxide (GO), in the laboratory, was added to GC by a small proportion of 0.05% by weight of binder to compensate for the performance loss in GC due to addition of waste materials. The strength and durability properties were studied up to 90 days of curing age. The microstructure was also studied by conducting scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to support the strength and durability results. The test results are promising and indicate enhanced performance of GC produced using waste materials with GO addition.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Data Availability Statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to greatly acknowledge the valuable support of Material Testing Laboratory’s staff, Civil Engineering Department, as well faculties and staff of Department of Material Science and Engineering and Department of Physics and Photonic Science, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, India, for carrying out testing of concrete work reported in this study. The Ministry of Human Resources and Development, India, is also gratefully acknowledged for providing financial support to one of the authors.

References

Albitar, M., P. Visintin, M. S. Mohamed Ali, and M. Drechsler. 2015. “Assessing behaviour of fresh and hardened geopolymer concrete mixed with Class-F fly ash.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 19 (5): 1445–1455. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-1254-z.
Andrade, C. 2014. “Resistivity test criteria for durability design and quality control of concrete in chloride exposures.” Concr. Aust. 40 (4): 57–64.
Arora, S., and S. P. Singh. 2018. “Flexural fatigue performance of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregates and ternary blended cements.” J. Sustainable Cem.-Based Mater. 7 (3): 182–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2018.1471423.
Arora, S., and S. P. Singh. 2019. “Probability of failure of RCA concrete with ternary blended cements.” Constr. Build. Mater. 225 (Nov): 401–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.205.
ASTM. 2004. Standard test method for measurement of rate of absorption of water by hydraulic-cement concretes. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Bhardwaj, B., and P. Kumar. 2017. “Waste foundry sand in concrete: A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 156 (Dec): 661–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.010.
Bhardwaj, B., and P. Kumar. 2019. “Comparative study of geopolymer and alkali activated slag concrete comprising waste foundry sand.” Constr. Build. Mater. 209 (Jun): 555–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.107.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1959a. Methods of sampling and analysis of concrete. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1959b. Methods of tests for strength of concrete. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1987. Specification for granulated slag for the manufacture of portland slag cement. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1999. Splitting tensile strength of concrete—Method of test. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 2013. Pulverised fuel ash—Specification. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 2016. Coarse and fine aggregate for concrete—Specification. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BMTPC (Building Material and Technology Promotion Council). 2016. Guidelines for utilization of C&D waste. New Delhi, India: BMTPC.
Browner, R. D. 1982. “Design prediction of the life for reinforced concrete in marine and other chloride environments.” Durability Build Mater. 1 (2): 113–125.
Chi, M., and R. Huang. 2013. “Binding mechanism and properties of alkali-activated fly ash/slag mortars.” Constr. Build. Mater. 40 (Mar): 291–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.11.003.
Chindaprasirt, P., U. Rattanasak, and C. Jaturapitakkul. 2011. “Utilization of fly ash blends from pulverized coal and fluidized bed combustions in geopolymeric materials.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 33 (1): 55–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2010.09.017.
Compton, O. C., and S. T. Nguyen. 2010. “Graphene oxide, highly reduced graphene oxide, and graphene: Versatile building blocks for carbon-based materials.” Small 6 (6): 711–723. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.200901934.
Criado, M., W. Aperador, and I. Sobrados. 2016. “Microstructural and mechanical properties of alkali activated Colombian raw materials.” Materials (Basel) 9 (3): 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9030158.
Davidovits, J. 1991. “Geopolymers.” J. Therm. Anal. 37 (8): 1633–1656. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01912193.
Davidovits, J. 1999. “Chemistry of geopolymeric systems, terminology.” In Proc., Geopolymere’99 Int. Conf., 1–2. Saint-Quentin, France: Geopolymer Institute.
Davidovits, J. 2015. False values on CO2 emission for geopolymer cement/concrete published in scientific papers, 1–9. Saint-Quentin, France: Geopolymer Institute.
Deb, P. S., P. K. Sarker, and S. Barbhuiya. 2016. “Sorptivity and acid resistance of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars containing nano-silica.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 72 (Sep): 235–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2016.06.017.
Devi, S. C., and R. A. Khan. 2019. “Mechanical and durability performance of concrete incorporating graphene oxide.” J. Mater. Eng. Struct. 6 (2): 201–214.
Devi, S. C., and R. A. Khan. 2020. “Effect of graphene oxide on mechanical and durability performance of concrete.” J. Build. Eng. 27 (Nov): 101007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101007.
Dinakar, P., K. P. Sethy, and U. C. Sahoo. 2013. “Design of self-compacting concrete with ground granulated blast furnace slag.” Mater. Des. 43 (Jan): 161–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.06.049.
Dolage, D. A. R., M. G. S. Dias, and C. T. Ariyawansa. 2013. “Offshore sand as a fine aggregate for concrete production.” Br. J. Appl. Sci. Technol. 3 (4): 813–825. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2013/3290.
Dombrowski, K., A. Buchwald, and M. Weil. 2007. “The influence of calcium content on the structure and thermal performance of fly ash based geopolymers.” J. Mater. Sci. 42 (9): 3033–3043. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0532-7.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). 2019. Advancing sustainable materials management: Facts and figures report. Washington, DC: EPA.
Fernández-Jiménez, A., and A. Palomo. 2005a. “Composition and microstructure of alkali activated fly ash binder: Effect of the activator.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 35 (10): 1984–1992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2005.03.003.
Fernández-Jiménez, A., and A. Palomo. 2005b. “Mid-infrared spectroscopic studies of alkali-activated fly ash structure.” Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 86 (1–3): 207–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2005.05.057.
Gonzalez, J. A., W. Lopez, and P. Rodriguez. 1993. “Effects of moisture availability on corrosion kinetics of steel embedded in concrete.” Corrosion 49 (12): 1004–1010.
Guo, S., X. Qiao, T. Zhao, and Y. S. Wang. 2020. “Preparation of highly dispersed graphene and its effect on the mechanical properties and microstructures of geopolymer.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 32 (11): 04020327. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003424.
Hardjito, D., and B. V. Rangan. 2005. Low-calcium flyash-based geopolymer concrete. Perth, Australia: Curtin Univ. of Technology.
Hardjito, D., S. E. Wallah, D. M. Sumajouw, and B. V. Rangan. 2004. “On the development of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete.” ACI Mater. J. 101 (6): 467–472.
Huang, B., X. Wang, H. Kua, Y. Geng, R. Bleischwitz, and J. Ren. 2018. “Construction and demolition waste management in China through the 3R principle.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 129 (Feb): 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.0299.
Hummers, W. S., and R. E. Offeman. 1958. “Preparation of graphitic oxide.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 80 (6): 1339. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01539a017.
Junaid, M. T., O. Kayali, A. Khennane, and J. Black. 2015. “A mix design procedure for low calcium alkali activated fly ash-based concretes.” Constr. Build. Mater. 79 (Mar): 301–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.01.048.
Khan, M. Z. N., F. Shaikh, Y. Hao, and H. Hao. 2016. “Synthesis of high strength ambient cured geopolymer composite by using low calcium fly ash.” Constr. Build. Mater. 125 (Oct): 809–820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.097.
Kürklü, G. 2016. “The effect of high temperature on the design of blast furnace slag and coarse fly ash-based geopolymer mortar.” Composites, Part B: Eng. 92 (May): 9–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2016.02.043.
Li, C., H. Sun, and L. Li. 2010. “A review: The comparison between alkali-activated slag (Si + Ca) and metakaolin (Si + Al) cements.” Cem. Concr. Res. 40 (9): 1341–1349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.03.0200.
Liu, X., Y. Wu, M. Li, J. Jiang, L. Guo, W. Wang, W. Zhang, Z. Zhang, and P. Duan. 2020. “Effects of graphene oxide on microstructure and mechanical properties of graphene oxide-geopolymer composites.” Constr. Build. Mater. 247 (Jun): 118544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118544.
Lloyd, N., and B. V. Rangan. 2010. “Geopolymer concrete: A review of development and opportunities.” In Proc., 35th Conf. on Our World in Concrete & Structures, 2527. Singapore: Ci-Premier PTE.
Lu, L., and D. Ouyang. 2017. “Properties of cement mortar and ultra-high strength concrete incorporating graphene oxide nanosheets.” Nanomaterials (Basel) 7 (7): 187. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7070187.
Mollah, M. Y. A., T. R. Hess, and Y. Tsai. 1993. “An FTIR and XPS investigations of the effects of carbonation on the solidification/stabilization of cement based systems-Portland Type V with zinc.” Cem. Concr. Res. 23 (4): 773–784. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(93)90031-4.
Muthu, M., N. Ukrainczyk, and E. Koenders. 2021a. “Effect of graphene oxide dosage on the deterioration properties of cement pastes exposed to an intense nitric acid environment.” Constr. Build. Mater. 269 (Feb): 121272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121272.
Muthu, M., E. H. Yang, and C. Unluer. 2021b. “Resistance of graphene oxide-modified cement pastes to hydrochloric acid attack.” Constr. Build. Mater. 273 (Mar): 121990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121990.
Nath, P., and P. K. Sarker. 2014. “Effect of GGBFS on setting, workability and early strength properties of fly ash geopolymer concrete cured in ambient condition.” Constr. Build. Mater. 66 (Sep): 163–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.05.080.
Nath, P., and P. K. Sarker. 2015. “Use of OPC to improve setting and early strength properties of low calcium fly ash geopolymer concrete cured at room temperature.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 55 (Jan): 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.08.008.
Nath, P., P. K. Sarker, V. B. Rangan, and P. Engineering. 2015. “Early age properties of low-calcium fly ash geopolymer concrete suitable for ambient curing.” Procedia Eng. 125 (Jan): 601–607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.11.077.
Nath, S. K., and S. Kumar. 2013. “Influence of iron making slags on strength and microstructure of fly ash geopolymer.” Constr. Build. Mater. 38 (Jan): 924–930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.09.070.
Noumowé, A., R. Siddique, G. Schutter, and A. Noumowé. 2009. “Effect of used-foundry sand on the mechanical properties of concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 23 (2): 976–980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.05.005.
Nuruddin, M. F., S. Qazi, N. Shafiq, and A. Kusbiantoro. 2010. “Compressive strength & microstructure of polymeric concrete incorporating fly ash & silica fume.” Can. J. Civ. Eng. 1 (1): 15–18.
Ortego, J. D., Y. Barroeta, F. K. Cartledge, and H. Akhter. 1991. “Leaching effects on silicate polymerization. An FTIR and silicon-29 NMR study of lead and zinc in portland cement.” Environ. Sci. Tech. 25 (6): 1171–1174. https://doi.org/10.1021/es00018a0244.
Palacky, G. J. 1988. “Resistivity characteristics of geologic targets.” Electromagn. Methods Appl. Geophys. 1 (Jan): 52–129.
Paliwal, G., and S. Marua. 2017. “Effect of fly ash and plastic waste on mechanical and durability properties of concrete.” Adv. Concr. Constr. 5 (6): 575–586. https://doi.org/10.12989/acc.2017.5.6.575.
Panda, B., S. C. Paul, N. A. N. Mohamed, Y. W. D. Tay, and M. J. Tan. 2018. “Measurement of tensile bond strength of 3D printed geopolymer mortar.” Meas.: J. Int. Meas. Confederation 113 (Sep): 108–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2017.08.051.
Qureshi, T. S., and D. K. Panesar. 2019. “Impact of graphene oxide and highly reduced graphene oxide on cement based composites.” Constr. Build. Mater. 206 (May): 71–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.176.
Ramboll. 2019. Study to support the review of waste related issues in annexes IV and V of regulation (EC). Munchan, Germany: European Commission.
Ryu, G. S., Y. B. Lee, K. T. Koh, and Y. S. Chung. 2013. “The mechanical properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete with alkaline activators.” Constr. Build. Mater. 47 (Oct): 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.05.069.
Shaikh, F. U. A. 2016. “Mechanical and durability properties of fly ash geopolymer concrete containing recycled coarse aggregates.” Int. J. Sustainable Built Environ. 5 (2): 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsbe.2016.05.009.
Sharma, S., and N. C. Kothiyal. 2015. “Influence of graphene oxide as dispersed phase in cement mortar matrix in defining the crystal patterns of cement hydrates and its effect on mechanical, microstructural and crystallization properties.” RSC Adv. 5 (65): 52642–52657. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA08078AA.
Sharma, S., and N. C. Kothiyal. 2016. “Comparative effects of pristine and ball-milled graphene oxide on physico-chemical characteristics of cement mortar nanocomposites.” Constr. Build. Mater. 115 (Jul): 256–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.019.
Shi, C., A. F. Jiménez, and A. Palomo. 2011. “New cements for the 21st century: The pursuit of an alternative to portland cement.” Cem. Concr. Res. 41 (7): 750–763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.03.0166.
Shi, X. S., Q. Y. Wang, X. L. Zhao, and C. Frank. 2012. “Discussion on properties and microstructure of geopolymer concrete containing fly ash and recycled aggregate.” Adv. Mater. Res. 450–451 (8): 1577–1583. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.450-451.1577.
Siddique, R., and G. Singh. 2011. “Utilization of waste foundry sand (WFS) in concrete manufacturing.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 55 (11): 885–892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.05.001.
Singh, B., G. Ishwarya, M. Gupta, and S. K. Bhattacharyya. 2015. “Geopolymer concrete: A review of some recent developments.” Constr. Build. Mater. 85 (Jun): 78–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.036.
Somna, K., C. Jaturapitakkul, P. Kajitvichyanukul, and P. Chindaprasirt. 2011. “NaOH-activated ground fly ash geopolymer cured at ambient temperature.” Fuel 90 (6): 2118–2124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.01.018.
Thapa, V. B., and D. Waldmann. 2018. “A short review on alkali-activated binders and geopolymer binders.” In Vielfalt im Massivbau—Festschrift zum 65. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. Ing. Jürgen Schnell, 576–591. Berlin: Ernst & Sohn.
Van Deventer, J. S. J., J. L. Provis, and P. Duxson. 2012. “Technical and commercial progress in the adoption of geopolymer cement.” Miner. Eng. 29 (Mar): 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2011.09.009.
Winkler, E. S., and A. A. Bol’shakov. 2000. Characterization of foundry sand waste. Lowell, MA: Univ. of Massachusetts Lowell.
Xie, J., J. Wang, R. Rao, C. Wang, and C. Fang. 2019a. “Effects of combined usage of GGBS and fly ash on workability and mechanical properties of alkali activated geopolymer concrete with recycled aggregate.” Composites, Part B: Eng. 164 (May): 179–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.11.067.
Xie, J., J. Wang, B. Zhang, C. Fang, and L. Li. 2019b. “Physicochemical properties of alkali activated GGBS and fly ash geopolymeric recycled concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 204 (Apr): 384–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.191.
Xu, G., J. Zhong, and X. Shi. 2018. “Influence of graphene oxide in a chemically activated fly ash.” Fuel 226 (Apr): 644–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.04.033.
Yazdi, M. A., M. Liebscher, S. Hempel, J. Yang, and V. Mechtcherine. 2018. “Correlation of microstructural and mechanical properties of geopolymers produced from fly ash and slag at room temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 191 (Dec): 330–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.037.
Yip, C. K., G. C. Lukey, and J. S. J. Van Deventer. 2005. “The coexistence of geopolymeric gel and calcium silicate hydrate at the early stage of alkaline activation.” 35 (9): 1688–1697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.10.042.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33Issue 11November 2021

History

Received: Jul 27, 2020
Accepted: Mar 19, 2021
Published online: Sep 7, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 7, 2022

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Research Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh 177005, India (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9307-1059. Email: [email protected]
Pardeep Kumar [email protected]
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh 177005, India. Email: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

  • A critical review of cement composites containing recycled aggregates with graphene oxide nanomaterials, Journal of Building Engineering, 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.105989, (105989), (2023).
  • Fresh, mechanical and microstructural properties of alkali-activated composites incorporating nanomaterials: A comprehensive review, Journal of Cleaner Production, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135390, 384, (135390), (2023).
  • A State-of-the-Art Review on the Incorporation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates in Geopolymer Concrete, Recycling, 10.3390/recycling7040051, 7, 4, (51), (2022).
  • A Review on the Use of Industrial Waste and Agricultural Waste in the Production of Alkali-activated Concrete, Recent Trends in Materials, 10.1007/978-981-19-5395-8_7, (85-101), (2022).

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share