Potential utilization of industrial effluents in ternary blended geopolymer concrete for future sustainable environment

摘要

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a sustainable building material for construction that is created by manufacturing concrete from industrial leftovers using an alkaline solution. The study analyzes ternary blended GPC's microstructure, workability, and mechanical properties. Green concrete is obtained by blending with fly ash, GGBS & metakaolin, comprising alumina and silica as significant compounds. The slump and compaction factor tests evaluate the fresh property of ternary blended geopolymer concrete and mechanical properties by split tensile, compressive, and flexure strength tests. The geopolymer concrete's microstructure properties are studied using SEM, EDS, and XRD tests. The test results divulged that an increase in the volume of fibers decreases the workability of concrete. Concrete produced by adding 60% fly ash, 25% GGBS, and 15% metakaolin yielded the maximum strength compared to the other concrete mixes. Microstructure images revealed that the GPC mix possesses a high calcium content, compact, homogenous mixture, and effective dissolution of Si & Al in an alkaline solution is mainly responsible for the strength attainment. Thus, due to the usage of industrial byproducts, ternary blended GPC solves environmental issues proving to be economical and futuristic material to produce sustainable green concrete.