Effect of Ground Pumice on the Properties of Fly Ash Geopolymer Paste

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Published: Feb 28, 2025
Keywords:
Geopolymer paste Fly ash Ground pumice Compressive strength Microstructure

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Chalermsak Namchiengtai
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Northeastern University, Khon Kaen 40000
Phaithun Nasaeng
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Northeastern University, Khon Kaen 40000
Vanchai Sata
Sustainable Infrastructure Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40000

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the effect of ground pumice (GPM) on flow value, setting time, compressive strength, and microstructure of fly ash geopolymer paste. The primary aluminosilicate material used was fly ash (FA) sourced from the thermal power plants in Thailand. Ground pumice was incorporated as a partial replacement for fly ash at replacement levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight. A 10 M sodium hydroxide solution and sodium silicate solution were used as the alkali solution. The alkali solution-to-powder material ratio and sodium hydroxide solution-to-sodium silicate solution ratio of all the mixes were designed at 0.60 and 1.00 by weight, respectively. The result showed that increasing the replacement of FA with GPM reduced the flow value of the geopolymer paste while prolonging the setting time. The compressive strength of the FA geopolymer paste decreased as the GPM content increased. Microstructure analysis revealed that replacing FA with GPM negatively impacted the reaction at an initial age, resulting in a large number of unreacted particles and a weak microstructure. However, when 50% of FA was replaced with GPM and the paste was cured at room temperature, the geopolymer paste achieved a compressive strength exceeding 70 MPa at 90 days of age.

Article Details

Issue
Vol.33 No.1 (January-February 2025)
Section
Engineering and Architecture

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