Title:
Development of High-Strength Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete (Prepublished)
Author(s):
Mahdi Heshmati, M. Neaz Sheikh, and Muhammad N.S. Hadi
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
ambient curing; high strength; self-compacting geopolymer concrete; chemical composition; Taguchi; TOPSIS
DOI:
10.14359/51749127
Date:
8/19/2025
Abstract:
This study comprehensively investigates the development of ambient-cured self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) based on the chemical composition of binder and alkaline activator. Five factors of the chemical composition of binder and alkaline activator, each with four levels, are used to evaluate and optimise the workability and compressive strength of the high-strength SCGC. The designed SCGC mixes provided sufficient workability properties and compressive strength between 28 MPa [4061 psi] and 70.3 MPa [10196 psi]. It was found that the SCGC mix with a binder content of 600 kg/m3 [37.4 lb/ft3], a CaO/(SiO2+Al2O3) mass ratio of 0.55, a Na2O/binder mass ratio of 0.11, a SiO2/Na2O mass ratio of 1.2, and Na2O/H2O mass ratio of 0.35 was the optimum mix, which achived slump flow of 770 mm [30.3 in.], 28-day compressive strength of 70.3 MPa [10196 psi], and final setting time of 80 min. The CaO/(SiO2+Al2O3) ratio in binders, binder content, and Na2O/binder mass ratio have been found to be the most influential factors on the workability and compressive strength of ambient-cured SCGC. Microstructure analysis of SCGC mixes showed that the increase in the CaO/(SiO2+Al2O3) ratio promoted the formation of calcium-aluminate-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels and enhanced the compressive strength by filling voids and creating a compact and dense microstructure.