Thermal behaviour of polycondensed silica-aluminate concrete activated by sodium silicate

Abstract

In recent years, inorganic polymers find increasing usage in prefabricated structural elements. Vast researches have been done specifically on its mechanical and elastic properties. But, very few efforts have been done on its thermal properties. Considerably, higher temperatures may however be encountered in some industrial applications. At elevated temperatures, the behavior of Geopolymer concrete is quite different from its counterpart: conventional ordinary Portland cement concrete. It demands crucial focusing domain. In this experimental work, Fly ash, a by-product produced by energy industries is used as a feedstock for Geopolymer. The residual compressive strength and alteration in mass are observed under a parametric study of temperature ranging between 32°C and 500°C. This paper describes the thermal conductivity of “low-calcium flyash based Geopolymer concrete” at ambient temperature to elevated temperature. It also effectively implies the variations of M30 and M50 grade Geopolymer concrete activated by silicates and hydroxides of sodium with OPC concrete of same strengths.