High-Strength Geopolymer Using Fine High-Calcium Fly Ash
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 3
Abstract
In this paper, the synthesis of high-strength geopolymer using fine high-calcium fly ash was studied. The effect of fineness of fly ash on the setting time of geopolymer paste, workability, strength development, and drying shrinkage of geopolymer mortars made from classified fine high-calcium fly ash was investigated. Air-classified fly ash with three different finenesses—coarse original fly ash (CFA), medium-fineness fly ash (MFA), and fine fly ash (FFA)—from the Mae Moh Power Station was used for this study. The heat-cured geopolymers were activated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate. A small amount of water was incorporated for workability. The results indicate that the setting time of paste decreases with an increase in fly-ash fineness. The flow, strength, and drying-shrinkage characteristics of mortars were improved using fine fly ash. Geopolymer mortars with high 28-day compressive strength of 86.0 MPa were obtained.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Thailand Research Fund through the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program (Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDPHD/0074/2548) and the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 3 • March 2011
Pages: 264 - 270
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 10, 2010
Accepted: Aug 3, 2010
Published online: Aug 5, 2010
Published in print: Mar 1, 2011
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