Properties of slag based geopolymer reactive powder concrete

Abstract

Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is a high strength concrete with excellent engineering properties. High cement content is one of the important key parameters in the development of RPC. Production of cement considered a non-sustainable eco-friendly process. Hence, it is needed to replace the usage of cement with environmental friendly materials in the production of RPC. Geopolymer concrete is a new technology that can totally replace the cement in concrete. The main objective of this study is to produce Geopolymer RPC and evaluate its mechanical and durability properties under different curing techniques. The engineering properties like compressive strength, sorptivity and elastic modulus are studied to investigate the performance of Geopolymer RPC. To study the concrete microstructure, SEM analysis were carried out in this investigation. It was concluded that thermal curing has shown a good impact in the performance of all RPC mixes. Geopolymer RPC can be successfully developed and hence satisfying engineering properties can be achieved under microwave curing. Also it was deduced that in Geopolymer RPC, the workability issue should be solved with parameter other than water, i.e. superplasticiczers.

Keywords

• Reactive powder concrete
• Geopolymer
• GGBS
• Silica fume
• Curing regimes
• Compressive strength