Flexural Performance and Microstructural Studies of Trough-Shaped Geopolymer Ferrocement Panels

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Construction

Background:

• Geopolymer mortar offers a sustainable alternative to traditional cement mortar.
• Investigating geopolymer mortar's mechanical and microstructural properties is crucial for its adoption in civil engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar with varying fly ash/steel slag ratios and activator concentrations.
• To assess the flexural behavior of geopolymer ferrocement panels and compare experimental results with ABAQUS simulations.
• To analyze the microstructural characteristics of the developed geopolymer mortar.

Main Methods:

• Geopolymer mortars were prepared using fly ash and steel slag with NaOH and Na2SiO3 activators at different concentrations and ratios.
• Compressive strength tests were conducted on mortar mixes.
• Ferrocement panels were fabricated and subjected to flexural load testing.
• Microstructural analysis included SEM, EDAX, and XRD.

Main Results:

• The optimal geopolymer mortar mix (fly ash:steel slag 1:2.5, 12 M NaOH, NaOH:Na2SiO3 0.5) achieved compressive strengths of 55-60 MPa.
• Trough-shaped geopolymer ferrocement panels showed a 56% increase in ultimate strength compared to ABAQUS analytical results.
• Microstructural analysis provided insights into the material's composition and structure.

Conclusions:

• Geopolymer mortar with fly ash and steel slag demonstrates high compressive strength and superior flexural performance in ferrocement applications.
• The study validates the use of geopolymer mortar as a viable and high-performance alternative in construction.
• Further research into microstructural properties can optimize geopolymer mortar formulations for enhanced durability.