Abstract
Compared with portland-cement-based matrices, the high mechanical strength, satisfactory durability, and sustainable features of geopolymeric matrices have brought great interest in the civil construction sector. Excessive activator content in a geopolymer mixture can cause efflorescence, a phenomenon related to the unreacted alkalis that compromise the mechanical properties and aesthetics of the structures. This article proposes applying statistical mixture design (SMD), associated with simultaneous optimization for the dosage of geopolymeric matrices, to evaluate and mitigate efflorescence. Based on the extreme vertices screening design, the formulations were made using metakaolin as a precursor, NaOH and sodium silicate as the activator, and sand and superplasticizer. The formulation with the lowest efflorescence formation, highest compressive strength, and adequate workability was the one whose molarity of NaOH was equal to 9.02 M, and the ratios , , and were equivalent to 1.43, 2.65, and 8.36, respectively. In addition, the ratio was the predominant factor for efflorescence occurrence. SMD associated with simultaneous optimization is a technically viable alternative for minimizing free sodium in geopolymeric matrices.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank FAPESB–Bahia Research Foundation and PPEC/UFBA–Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Bahia (Brazil).
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 7 • July 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 30, 2022
Accepted: Nov 21, 2022
Published online: Apr 25, 2023
Published in print: Jul 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Sep 25, 2023
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