Abstract
In this study, the effects of fly ash/silica fume (F/S) ratio and curing conditions on mechanical performance of fly ash based plain and steel fiber reinforced geopolymer (SFRG) was investigated. Plain geopolymer was prepared using NaOH solution of 14 molarity, Na2SiO3/NaOH of 2.5 and paste/fine aggregate of 0.36. For SFRG, the volume fractions of 0.5% and 1% were used. The F/S ratio was varied from 100/0 to 70/30. The specimens were cured under normal and accelerated conditions. Four experiments were carried out: flow, setting time, compression, and flexural performance tests. The results indicated that the addition of fibers enhanced the mechanical properties. The effect of F/S ratio depended strongly on the curing condition. Under ambient curing, the optimum F/S ratio of 90/10 was observed. For accelerated curing, the addition of silica fume provided negative effect on the mechanical properties. The optimum F/S ratio was observed in mix without silica fume.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)