The effect of efflorescence on the mechanical properties of geopolymers

Madanavosa, Savenaca (2013) The effect of efflorescence on the mechanical properties of geopolymers. [USQ Project]

Preview

Text Madanavosa_2013.pdf Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to find out and compare the effect of efflorescence on different composition of Alkali Activated Fly Ash based Geopolymer Paste (AAFAGP). Since geopolymers are gaining worldwide recognition as a greener alternative to the more popular Ordinary Portland Cement a better understanding of the behaviour of AAFAGP is needed. As far as the author is aware there is no literature available on the effects of efflorescence on the mechanical properties of AAFAGP, this is the part of the literature which this research intends to fill.

Various mix designs or composition of AAFAGP was used in this research in order to obtain the compressive strengths of the composition. Each mix design or composition is exposed to three different environments:
*Immersed in water
*Dry exposure
*Partially Immersed in water

The partially immersed simulated the efflorescence effect. These were left for 28 days before being crushed to compare the compressive strength of the each mix design being exposed to different environments.

The results formulated from this report show the efflorescence compressive strength was tested after 28 days and compared with the dry sample compressive strength. Along with this the compressive modulus was also obtained. From the investigation done it was found that efflorescence lowered the compressive strengths of various mix designs these included:
• Mix design 1: Gladstone 1
• Mix design 2: Gladstone 2
• Mix design 3: Callide 1
• Mix design 4: Callide 2
• Mix design 5: MM1-MgO

However for the rest of the various mix designs there was no conclusive evidence that showed efflorescence had a clear effect, this was because for each mix design had 5 specimens and at times the compressive strength of the efflorescence was greater than that of the dry specimen. Modulus of elasticity is shown to have a direct relationship with compressive strength.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	USQ Project
Item Status:	Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors:	Wang, Hao
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2014 04:49
Last Modified:	12 Jun 2014 00:22
Uncontrolled Keywords:	effect; efflorescence; mechanical properties; geopolymers; aafagp
Fields of Research (2008):	09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090503 Construction Materials 09 Engineering > 0912 Materials Engineering > 091209 Polymers and Plastics 03 Chemical Sciences > 0302 Inorganic Chemistry > 030203 Inorganic Green Chemistry
Fields of Research (2020):	40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400505 Construction materials 40 ENGINEERING > 4016 Materials engineering > 401609 Polymers and plastics 34 CHEMICAL SCIENCES > 3402 Inorganic chemistry > 340204 Inorganic green chemistry
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	B Economic Development > 87 Construction > 8703 Construction Materials Performance and Processes > 870399 Construction Materials Performance and Processes not elsewhere classified
URI:	https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/24670

Actions (login required)

Archive Repository Staff Only