Muhd Fadhil Nuruddin

Effect of silica fume on the fresh and hardened properties of fly ash-based self-compacting geopolymer concrete

The effect of silica fume on the fresh and hardened properties of fly ash-based self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) was investigated in this paper. The work focused on the concrete mixes with a fixed water-to-geopolymer solid (W/Gs) ratio of 0.33 by mass and a constant total binder content of 400 kg/m3. The mass fractions of silica fume that replaced fly ash in this research were 0wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt%. The workability-related fresh properties of SCGC were assessed through slump flow, V-funnel, and L-box test methods. Hardened concrete tests were limited to compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths, all of which were measured at the age of 1, 7, and 28 d after 48-h oven curing. The results indicate that the addition of silica fume as a partial replacement of fly ash results in the loss of workability; nevertheless, the mechanical properties of hardened SCGC are significantly improved by incorporating silica fume, especially up to 10wt%. Applying this percentage of silica fume results in 4.3% reduction in the slump flow; however, it increases the compressive strength by 6.9%, tensile strength by 12.8% and flexural strength by 11.5%.

Geopolymer concrete for structural use: Recent findings and limitations

Geopolymer binders offer a possible solution for several problems that facing the current cement industry. These binders exhibit similar or better engineering properties compared to cement and can utilize several types of waste materials. This paper presents the recent research progress regarding the structural behaviour of reinforced geopolymer concrete members including beams, columns and slabs. The reported results showed that the structural behaviour of the reinforced geopolymer concrete members is similar to the known behaviour of the ordinary reinforced concrete members. In addition, the currently available standards have been conservatively used for analysis and designing of reinforced geopolymer concrete structures. On the other hand, the main hurdles facing the spread of geopolymer concrete was the absence of standards and the concerns about the long-term properties. Other issues included the safety, cost and liability.

Mechanical Properties of MIRHA-Fly Ash Geopolymer Concrete

This paper provides a report about the results of an investigation carried out to understand the effect of Microwave Incinerated Rice Husk Ash (MIRHA) on the mechanical properties of fly ash geopolymer concrete to access the concrete performance development. Fly ash (350kg/m3) and MIRHA (0%, 3%, and 7%) were used as the source materials to replace cement, NaOH and Na2SiO3 solutions used as the alkaline liquids for the medium of polymeric reaction. In addition, sugar was used as retarder, as well as three different types of curing regime (ambient, external exposure or oven curing regime). The concrete mixing procedure was adjusted to obtain the proper homogeneity of dry materials and wet ones. In this project, a number of mechanical tests have been conducted including the pull-out test, compressive strength test, flexural strength test, and modulus of elasticity test. It was then observed that the performance of mechanical properties of MIRHA-fly ash geopolymer concrete improved with the use of oven curing as the curing regime for the concrete samples.

Challenges for Implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Malaysian Construction Industry

The construction industry of Malaysia is very dynamic in nature and the adoption of new technological advancements and construction methods has been a prime concerns for its key players and stakeholders. However, the adoption of BIM in such a dynamic industry is observed to be limited and its implementation has not been as successful as it should have been. The study focuses on the identification and prioritization the factors challenging the implementation of BIM in Malaysian construction industry. The data has been administrated through designed questionnaire by identifying the factors / barriers, by literature review, for implementation of BIM in construction industry. The prioritization of such factors is expected to help the major stake holders to address the issues according to their priority which will save lot of previous time and financial with smooth implementation of BIM in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in future project.

Effect of silica aerogel on the thermal conductivity of cement paste for the construction of concrete buildings in sustainable cities

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of silica aerogel on the thermal conductivity of cement paste for the construction of concrete buildings in sustainable cities. Samples consisting of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), free water and different volumes of silica aerogel were prepared and cured for three (3), seven (7) and 28 days. Compressive strength tests were performed on samples at three (3), seven (7) and 28 days of curing. Porosity and thermal conductivity tests were conducted on samples at 28 days of curing. The lowest thermal conductivity measured was 0.076 W/mK, which was achieved by sample mix with 20 ml of silica aerogel (M20), which represents a 93.58% reduction in thermal conductivity relative to the control mix. The highest permeable porosity measured for cement paste incorporated with silica aerogel was 25.6%, which was also obtained by sample M20. However, the highest compressive strength measured was 54.33 MPa, which was obtained by sample mix with 10 ml of silica aerogel (M10) at 28 days of curing. The addition of silica aerogel as filler in cement paste can reduce the thermal conductivity of cement paste at the expense of reduced compressive strength and increased permeable porosity.

Evolution of geopolymer binders: a review

This study aimed to present the current state of research about the terminology, chemical reactions, mechanisms, and microstructure modelling of geopolymer binders. Modelling the structure of the geopolymerization products is essential for controlling the product properties. The currently available models have shown some limitations in determining the rate of geopolymerization and setting time of the gel. There is a need for deeper knowledge regarding the physicochemical analysis of geopolymer binders. Most of the available models have used pure material like metakaolin; however, the less pure materials are expected to have different mechanisms. The FTIR and MAS-NMR analysis are considered as effective tools in providing information on the molecular deviations during geopolymerization. However, XRD analysis is not effective because most of the changes take place in amorphous phases. Also, the role of the iron oxides and some of the other impurities still not clear where none of the previous method of investigation can be used to detect the molecular changes of the iron compounds. This issue is very relevant hence the iron oxides are existed in substantial amounts in most of the waste materials that are suitable to be used as geopolymer source materials.

The Effect of Si/Al Ratio and Sodium Silicate on the Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash Based Geopolymer for Coating

The present study has been performed to see the effect of varying Si/Al ratio (1.85 to 3) by using same concentration of NaOH and same solid/water ratio for the development of mechanical properties at 28 days of room temperature and also select the Si/Al ratio for coating application. The performance of the geopolymer was investigated on the basis of compressive strengthSEM along with EDS. Pure sodium hydroxide specimens displayed decreased strength. However the combination of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate specimen with aSi/Al ratio of 2 showed maximum strength, whereas the specimen after Si/Al ratio 2 showed decrease in strength.

Microwave Incinerated Rice Husk Ash (MIRHA) and Used Engine Oil (UEO): Towards Sustainable Concrete Production

Rice is a primary source of food for billions of people and covers 1% of the earth’s surface. On average 20% of the rice paddy is husk, giving an annual total production of 120 million tones. Nowadays, there are two common methods used to dispose the rice husk which is either it is being dump or burnt. Rice husk ash (RHA) which is produced by burning paddy husk led to the issue of ozone layer depletion. It also causes damage to the land and the surrounding area where it is being dumped. Previous studies have pointed out that RHA produced contains more than 80% pure silica and if properly prepared, it is in an active form which behaves very much like cement. Same goes with used engine oil (UEO). Many people are aware that UEO shouldn’t be dumped, but recycled. It is incredibly toxic stuff and a gallon can contaminate one million gallons of water. Pouring it on land doesn’t reduce the risk either as it can seep down into the water table.The objective of this research is to obtain an optimum percentage of inclusion of microwave incinerated rice husk ash (MIRHA) as a cement replacement and UEO in order to produce a better concrete in terms of compressive strength compared to normal OPC concrete. The test results showed MIRHA concrete performed better than normal OPC concrete and the incorporation of UEO and MIRHA in concrete showed the compressive strength give better performance.

Optimisation of nano-silica modified self-compacting high-Volume fly ash mortar

Evaluation of the effects of nano-silica amount and superplasticizer (SP) dosage on the compressive strength, porosity and slump flow on high-volume fly ash self-consolidating mortar was investigated. Multiobjective optimisation technique using Design-Expert software was applied to obtain solution based on desirability function that simultaneously optimises the variables and the responses. A desirability function of 0.811 gives the optimised solution. The experimental and predicted results showed minimal errors in all the measured responses.

Effect of Metakaolin and PVA Fibres on the Workability and Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Locally produced metakaolin (MK) as the cement replacing material and PVA fibres has been used. The effect on workability and on the mechanical properties of concrete has been investigated. Total fifteen (15) mixes of concrete have been examined using MK 5 to 10% and PVA fibres of aspect ratio 45, 60, 90 and 120 with 1% volume fraction. Three (03) mixes without PVA fibre have been used as control mixes. For each mix, test for slump, cube compressive strength and splitting tensile strength has been performed. It has been found that MK and PVA fibres causes decrease in slump but use of MK and PVA fibres together improves the workability. The use of MK and PVA fibres has advantageous in increasing compressive strength and splitting tensile strength.