Triaxial Stress-Strain Behavior of a Novel Basalt Rock Waste and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Geopolymer
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 5
Abstract
Basalt rock waste is a major industrial waste generated as a result of quarrying rocks and artificial sand manufacture for construction projects, and its disposal can lead to several landfill hazards. However, it shows potential to be used as a source material for the manufacture of geopolymers. This paper presents the triaxial stress-strain characteristics of a novel geopolymer developed from basalt rock waste considering partial replacement with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) up to 30%. A detailed mix design investigation revealed the optimum molarity (M) of the sodium hydroxide solution to be 8M and the optimum ratio (R) of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide solution to be 0.75. The axial stress-strain relationships were developed after a series of triaxial laboratory tests for low confining pressures (0 to 800 kPa) and Hoek cell tests for high confining pressures (1 to 5 MPa). A constitutive model predicting the complete stress-strain behavior is proposed. The geopolymer stress-strain behavior shows some degree of similarity to Portland cement binder; however, differences such as an increase in stiffness and reduction in ductility were observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images also suggested a dense geopolymer gel formation resulting in a homogeneous and compact microstructure. This study demonstrates that the innovative material proposed herein produced from industrial wastes has characteristics suitable for use as an alternative and sustainable construction material.
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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 gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance for the first author from Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) through the Human Resource Development Initiative—Faculty Development Program. Laboratory assistance by Mr. Richard Berndt, Mr. Duncan Best, and Mr. Travis Marshall is highly appreciated. The supply of materials from local quarries, PQ Australia and Australasian Slag Association, is also recognized.
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 5 • May 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 2, 2022
Accepted: Aug 11, 2022
Published online: Feb 20, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 20, 2023
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