Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Civil Engineering | 2021
Evaluation of Durability and Microstructural Properties of Geopolymer Concrete with Ferrochrome Slag as Coarse Aggregate
Abstract
The present paper deals with the experimental investigations of durability properties as well as microstructural properties of geopolymer concrete with ferrochrome slag used as coarse aggregate. Geopolymeric binder was found out by activating fly ash with alkaline activators (NaOH and Na2SiO3). Geopolymer concrete (GPC) was produced by mixing fly ash, river sand, and natural coarse aggregate combined with ferrochrome slag. Test samples were immersed in 3% magnesium sulphate and 5% sodium chloride solutions for different periods. From this, durability properties were investigated. The change in compressive strength and weight was evaluated experimentally at 28, 56, and 90\xa0days. The rate of water absorption was also found at 28, 56, and 90\xa0days. Microstructural properties such as scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy of these samples were studied after 56-day immersion period in 3% MgSO4 and 5% NaCl solutions. These were compared with conventional GPC. Sorptivity of the GPC samples was very less about 0.05–0.1 which indicates the better resistance against the sorption. It was concluded that GPC based on ferrochrome slag exhibited strength loss within 4% and 3% at sulphate and chloride attack than control GPC.