Performance of geopolymer concrete exposed to freezing and thawing cycles

Abstract EN

In this study, the effect of rapid freezing and thawing (astm c666 – procedure a) on three different types of geopolymer concrete studied using three types of pozzolanic material: fly ash, metakaolin and ground granulated blast furnace slag (ggbfs).

the geopolymer concrete was prepared using 400 kg of the pozzolanic material with alkaline liquid prepared at 8 molar concentration with normal fine and coarse aggregates.

the ratio of alkaline to fly ash and ggbfs was 1.5: 1 and for metakaolin was 2 : 1 for workability and compressive strength requirements.

specimens (100 × 100 × 400) mm were exposed to 100, 200 and 300 cycles of freezing and thawing.

the decrease in measured compressive strength was (23, 43, and 26%) for fly ash, metakaolin and ggbfs respectively.

the investigated types of concrete showed good resistance to freezing and thawing.

the durability factor of these types was (77%, 68%, and 81%) for fly ash, metakaolin, and GGBFS respectively.