Kumaravel, et al, Journal of Engineering Research and Studies

E-ISSN0976-7916

Research Paper

ACID AND SALT RESISTANCE OF GEOPOLYMER

CONCRETE WITH VARYING CONCENTRATION OF NaOH
S. Kumaravel1, K. Girija2

1,2

Address for Correspondence

Assistant Professor, 1Department of Civil and Structural Engg., 2Department of Engg. Chemistry,
Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Tamilnadu, India
ABSTRACT
The consumption of cement industry caused pollution to the environment. It is important to reduce CO2
emission through the greater use of substitute for ordinary Portland cement. The processing of geopolymer using
fly ash and alkaline activator solution depends on such a solution prepared as different moles concentration of
sodium hydroxide. After making the concrete cylinders, it is cured and tested for compressive strength. The
durability of Geopolymer concrete is tested by immersion in chemicals that are sulphuric acid and sodium
sulphate. Alumina-Silicate is the binder in GPC, which react with acid and salt. The nominal strength concrete is
used, with different NaOH concentrations, such as 8 M, 10 M, 12 M and 14 Moles. These specimens are
immersed separately in 5 percent of sodium sulphate and different concentrations of sulphuric acid for 90 days.
The weight and compressive strength of acid and sulphate reaction on geopolymer concrete cylinders are
determined. The 12 mole GPC specimens show excellent resistance against acid and salt.
KEYWORDS: Geopolymer Concrete, Alkaline Liquid, Sodium sulphate, Sulphuric acid, Compressive strength.
concrete. The aggregate grading curves currently
1. INTRODUCTION
Portland cement is the main component of making
used in concrete practice are applicable in the case of
concrete. The cement industry becomes responsible
geopolymer concrete [4, 5]. The properties of
for CO2 emissions because the production of one ton
aggregate are found as specific gravity of fine
aggregates and coarse aggregates are 2.66 and 2.67,
of Portland cement produces approximately one ton
the fineness modulus of fine aggregates and coarse
of CO2 to the atmosphere [1]. The main constituents
aggregates are 2.21and 6.21 respectively [6].
of geopolymers are the source materials and the
alkaline liquids. The source materials for
geopolymers based alumino-silicate should be rich in
silicon and aluminium. The alkaline liquids are
formed by soluble alkali metals that are usually
sodium or potassium based. The combination of
sodium hydroxide with sodium silicate is used as
alkaline liquids with the liquid ratio as 2.5. Since the
Figure 1 NaOH Pellets
Figure 2 Na2SiO3 Solution
cost is cheap when compared to potassium, sodium is
2.4. Geopolymer Concrete
used. The alkaline liquid used to react with the
The minimum compressive strength of concrete used
Silicon (Si) and Aluminium (Al) in fly ash to produce
for construction is M 20 grade as per I.S: 456- 2000
binders. Because of the polymerization process
and it is tried with the 8 M, 10 M, 12 M and 14
taking place, Davidovits coined the term
molarity Sodium Hydroxide solutions and the
Geopolymer to represent these binders [2]. After
constituents are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Constituents of Geopolymer Concrete
mixing geopolymer and aggregates, geopolymer
concrete (GPC) is made. Durability of GPC concrete
is assessed by immersing in 0.5%, 1%, 2% sulphuric
acid and 5% sodium sulphate solutions separately.
The surface deterioration and depth of dealkalization, changes in weight are monitored over a
period of 90 days.
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
The materials required for making geopolymer
2.1. Alkaline liquid
concrete is shown in Figure 3.
The alkaline liquid is prepared by mixing sodium
hydroxide pellets (Figure 1) mixed with water in
different concentration and sodium silicate solution
(Figure 2) together at least 24 hours prior to use for
thorough mixing and reaction [3]. Ratio of these
solutions is 2.5. The sodium hydroxide with 97-98%
purity in pellet form is commercially available. The
Figure 3 Materials for GPC
solids are dissolved in water to prepare the NaOH
2.5. Mixing, Casting and Curing
solution of required concentration of 8 M, 10 M, 12
The geopolymer concrete is manufactured in the
M and 14 M.
laboratory. The dry fly ash and fine aggregates are
2.2. Fly Ash
first mixed together in 50-litre capacity Pan-mixer for
Low-calcium (ASTM Class F) fly ash obtained from
about three minutes. The course aggregates are
the Mettur Thermal Power Station, (Tamilnadu) is
prepared in Saturated-Surface-Dry (SSD) condition.
used for this research.
The alkaline liquid is added to the dry materials and
2.3. Aggregates
the mixing is continued for another four minutes [7].
Coarse and fine aggregates used by the concrete
It is observed that a geopolymer concrete stick hard
industry are suitable to manufacture geopolymer
to the mould, so oiling the mould is very important to
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Kumaravel, et al, Journal of Engineering Research and Studies

release each cylinder specimen, while casting

casti it in
three layers manually. Each layer received 25 strokes
of compaction by standard compaction rod. Fresh
geopolymer concrete is usually cohesive. The
workability of fresh concrete is measured in slump
180mm maximum is shown in Figure 4.

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Table 2 Weight of GPC Specimens Immersed in H2SO4

Table 3 Compressive Strength of H2SO4 Resistance in GPC

Figure 4 Measuring of Slump

After casting the specimens they are kept for one day
at room temperature called rest period. The term rest
period is coined to indicate the time taken from the
completion of casting of test specimen to the start of
curing at an elevated
ed temperature. After casting, the
specimens are covered using vacuum bagging film.
A steam curing chamber is used to generate the steam
at a specified temperature of 60o C. The geopolymer
concrete mould is placed in steam curing for 24hours
at a temperature of 60oC (Figure 5). The compression
testing machine of 1000kN capacity is used to apply
the axial force of compression as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 5 Curing Chamber

Figure 6 Testing for Cylinder

3. ACID RESISTANCE
The sulfuric acid resistance of geopolymer concrete
is evaluated. To perform the acid attack in the present
investigation immersion techniques is adopted. After
casting and curing, cylinders of size 100mm diameter
and
nd 200mm height specimens are immersed in H2SO4
solution (Figure 7). The concentration of sulfuric acid
solution is 0.5%, 1% and 2%. The pH value of
distilled water is 6.17 and it is dropped as 5.90, 5.77
and 5.54 respectively in 0.5%, 1% and 2% acid
concentration [8]. The evaluation is conducted after
90days from the date of immersion (Figure 8). The
solution is kept at room temperature and the solution
is stirred regularly. The solution is replaced at regular
intervals to maintain concentration of solution
throughout the test period [9]. The weight of
geopolymer concrete decreases when the acid
concentration
oncentration increases and the same effect is
reflected after 90 days immersion in acid [10]. The
weight of GPC specimen before and after immersion
is shown in Table 2. The compressive strength of
geopolymer concrete immersed in H2SO4 of different
concentrations
ations of sodium hydroxide is given in Table
3. The comparison of compressive strength of
specimens is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 Comparison of Different Concentration Acid

Resistance

4. SULPHATE RESISTANCE
The sulphate is present in the soil in many forms such
as calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium [11].
The sulphate
lphate attack is a common occurrence in
natural and industrial situations. Sodium sulphate salt
of 99% purity is taken as 5%.. The cylinders are
prepared with different concentration of 8 M, 10 M,
12 M, and 14 Mole of NaOH. The concentrated
sodium sulphate salt of 550g is dissolved in 11 litter
of water [12], to keep the specimens completely
immersed inside the solution as shown in Figure 10.
The pH value of Na2SO4 solution is maintained as
7.15. The geopolymer concrete specimens after
sulphate attack is shown
own in Figure 11. The increase of
weight and decrease of compressive strength of
different concentration of NaOH used in GPC
specimens are given in Table 4. The comparison of
compressive strength of GPC specimens of different
concentration of NaOH is shown in Figure 12.

Figure 10 Specimen
Figure 11 Sulphate attack of
Immersed in Solution
Specimen
Table 4 Weight and Compressive Strength of Sulphate attack
in GPC

Compressive Strength in N/mm2

33.5

Initial Day

Final Day

30.15

28
24.92

25.6

24.2
21.5

19.85

Figure 7 Specimen kept in H2So4 Solution

8M

Figure 8 Specimens after 90 days

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10M

12M

14M

Figure 12 Sulphate Attack of Different Concentration NaOH

Kumaravel, et al, Journal of Engineering Research and Studies

5. RESULTS AND DICUSSION

The
geopolymer
concrete
with
different
concentration of NaOH is tested. In control
specimens of 8 M, 10 M, 12 M and 14 M of NaOH
concentration compressive strength obtained as
28.00, 25.60, 33.50 and 24.20N/mm2 respectively.
The compressive strength of GPC specimens
immersed in H2SO4 about 90 days are reduced. The 8
M specimens show reduction in strength of 4%, 9%
and 19.1% in 0.5%, 1% and 2% H2SO4 concentration
with respect to control specimens. The 10 M
specimens show reduction in strength of 5.35%,
13.27% and 25.5% in 0.5%, 1% and 2% H2SO4
concentration with respect to control specimens. The
12 M specimens show reduction in strength of
3.70%, 8.59% and 16.72% in 0.5%, 1% and 2%
H2SO4 concentration with respect to control
specimens. The 14 M specimens show reduction in
strength of 4.76%, 10.5% and 26.70% in 0.5%, 1%
and 2% H2SO4 concentration with respect to control
specimens.
The weight of 8 M GPC specimens shows a reduction
of 1.18%, 1.55% and 1.74% in 0.5%, 1% and 2%
H2SO4 concentrations respectively. The weight of 10
M GPC specimens shows a reduction of 1.38%,
1.49% and 1.94% in 0.5%, 1% and 2% H2SO4
concentrations respectively. The weight of 12 M
GPC specimens shows a reduction of 0.91%, 1.21%
and 1.36% in 0.5%, 1% and 2% H2SO4
concentrations respectively. The weight of 14 M
GPC specimens shows a reduction of 1.42%, 1.78%
and 2.27% in 0.5%, 1% and 2% H2SO4
concentrations respectively. From this, it is found that
acid resistance of geopolymer concrete made from 12
M NaOH concentration showed the least reduction in
strength and weight when compared to 8 M, 10 M
and 14 M NaOH concentration used for GPC.
The Sulphate resistance of geopolymer concrete with
different concentration of NaOH is tested. The
geopolymer concretes are showing increase in weight
of 6%, 7%, 4% and 10% in specimens of 8 M, 10 M,
12 M and 14 M respectively when compared to initial
weight. The compressive strength of GPC specimens
immersed in Na2SO4 about 90 days is reduced. The 8
M, 10 M, 12 M, and 14 Mole specimens show
reduction in strength of 11%, 16%, 10% and 18%
respectively with respect to control specimen. From
this, it is found that salt resistance of geopolymer
concrete made from 12 M NaOH concentration
showed the least reduction in weight and strength
when compared to 8 M, 10 m and 14 M NaOH
concentration used for GPC.
6. CONCLUSIONS
The nominal strength geopolymer concretes with 8
M, 10 M, 12 M and 14 M concentration of NaOH are
developed and tested against acid and salt resistance.
The 12 M geopolymer concretes show 0.91%,
1.21% and 1.36% reduction weight in 0.5%,
1% and 2% H2SO4 concentrations when
compared to corresponding control specimens.
This reduction in weight is the lowest value
when compared to 8 M, 10 M, and 14 M
geopolymer concretes.
The compressive strength of 12 M geopolymer
concretes show a reduction in strength of
3.7%, 8.59% and 16.7% in 0.5%, 1% and 2%
H2SO4 concentrations respectively, when
compared to corresponding control specimens.
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This is the lowest value in reduction strength

when the geopolymer concretes made of 8 M,
10 M, and 14 Mole.
The 12 M geopolymer concretes show weight
increase 6%, 7%, 4% and 10% in 5% Na2SO4
concentration respectively, when compared
with initial weight. This increase in weight is
the lowest value when compared to 8 M, 10
M, and 14 M geopolymer concretes.
The compressive strength of 12 M geopolymer
concretes show a reduction in strength of 11%,
16%, 10% and 18% in 5% Na2SO4
concentration respectively, when compared to
control specimen. This is the lowest value in
reduction strength when the geopolymer
concretes made of 8 M, 10 M, and 14 Mole.
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