Investigating Liquid-to-Solid and Na2SiO3-to-NaOH ratios in Geopolymer Concrete for Artificial Reef Construction

Greg Blasiak

The aims of the current study investigate Geopolymer Concrete produced and sourced from Collie as a viable material for artificial reef constructions for the purpose of protection against coastal erosion. The investigation is carried out by firstly conducting an extensive study of past literature to understand the performance characteristics required of an artificial reef successfully attenuating waves and reducing the impact of coastal erosion. The gaps in research show some changes in Sodium Silicate (SS) and Sodium Hydroxide (SH) affect the compressive strength of Geopolymer concrete, but not when combined with differing liquid to solid ratios. Also the use of glass fiber is seldom investigated with differing the ratios mentioned above. The aggregates used in the concrete are subject to grading and classification as per Australian standards and used in the production of concrete using Collie power stations derived Fly ash (Class F) activated by SS and SH. Various design mixes are created, including the addition of glass fibers and by altering the SS to SH ratio and the liquids to solids ratio. The concrete samples are tested for compressive strength and slump, indicating alkali activators with SS to SH ratio of >1.5 resulted in the highest compressive strength values. Compressive strength decreases with a higher liquid to solid ratio, whilst a low slump value also attributed to high compressive strength. The addition of glass fibers had a pronounced affect on increasing the compressive strength, leading to the conclusion that an optimal mix design can be achieved by the results of the various mix designs tested. It is economically and environmentally tested against a case study showing an increase in expenditure of 10%, but a decrease in carbon emissions of 72% if the optimally designed Geopolymer Concrete was implemented.

Investigating Liquid-to-Solid and Na2SiO3-to-NaOH ratios in Geopolymer Concrete for Artificial Reef Construction

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Details

Metrics