Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Durability of the Self-Compacting Geopolymer Mortar using various Mineral Additions

Authors

  • Ihtisham Islam Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Department of Geology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2443-8034
  • Salman Ahmed Khattak University of Haripur, Department of Earth Sciences
  • Petros Petrounias University of Patras, Department of Geology, Section of Earth Materials
  • Abdul Rahim Asif University of Peshawar, National Centre of Excellence in Geology
  • Syed Samran Ali Shah University of West London, School of Computing and Engineering
  • Kanishka Sauis Turrakheil University of West London, School of Computing and Engineering
  • Waqas Ahmed University of Peshawar, National Centre of Excellence in Geology
  • Mehboob Ur Rashid Kagoshima University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering
  • Qasim Ur Rehman University of Haripur, Department of Earth Sciences
  • Muhammad Naveed Khan Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Department of Chemistry

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2025.1.2

Keywords:

geopolymer, fly ash, alkaline activator, strength and durability, mineral additions

Abstract

A geopolymer is an unconventional inorganic binder prepared by an alkaline activator of alumina and silica-containing materials. This study has thoroughly evaluated the strength and durability performance of geopolymer mortars and represents a comprehensive attempt to highlight the advancement of environmentally conscious and innovative construction materials. The methodology used in this study includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), universal testing machines, and chemical methods (acid, sulfate, and chloride attack). The mechanical properties and durability of geopolymer mortars made at constant temperatures are evaluated and compared using different mineral additives. A comparative analysis of geopolymer mortar shows that M3 (fly ash) is an excellent choice for structural elements in construction projects where high strength and durability are paramount, as M3 (fly ash) has achieved the highest compressive (17.07 MPa) and flexural strengths (2.28 MPa) at all curing periods compared to M2 (RHA) and M1 (slag), which have intermediate (11.66 MPa, 2.17 MPa) and the lowest (10.10 MPa, 2.04 MPa) compressive and flexural strengths, respectively. In cases where acid resistance is a critical factor for construction, M1 appears to be the most suitable option, while M2 and M3 may require additional protective measures. M1, despite having slightly lower strength values than M2 and M3, demonstrates exceptional resistance to chloride attacks, making it a preferred option for projects in moderately chloride-rich environments. The compacted material increased strength and durability, while cracks, pores, and non-uniform particle arrangement reduced it. Overall, the abundance of minerals with elemental compositions such as Si, Al, O, and Na is responsible for the strong bonding for the cementation of geopolymer concrete. Therefore, keeping in mind the results of this study, different geopolymer mortars can be selected for construction purposes based on the demands of the projects.

Downloads

Published

2025-02-11

How to Cite

Islam, I. ., Khattak, S. A., Petrounias, P. ., Asif, A. R. ., Ali Shah, S. S. ., Turrakheil, K. S. ., Ahmed, W. ., Mehboob Ur Rashid, Qasim Ur Rehman, & Muhammad Naveed Khan. (2025). Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Durability of the Self-Compacting Geopolymer Mortar using various Mineral Additions. Rudarsko-geološko-Naftni Zbornik, 40(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2025.1.2

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 1 (2025): No. 72

Section

Other sciences and contributions

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Ihtisham Islam, Salman Ahmed Khattak, Petros Petrounias, Abdul Rahim Asif, Syed Samran Ali Shah, Kanishka Sauis Turrakheil, Waqas Ahmed, Mehboob Ur Rashid, Qasim Ur Rehman, Muhammad Naveed Khan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons-BY

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

In agreeing this form, you certify that:

  1. You read the ethical codex of the RGN zbornik available at journal web.
  2. You submitted work is your original work, and has not previously been published and does not include any form of plagiarism.
  3. You own copyright in the submitted work, and are therefore permitted to assign the licence to publish to RGN zbornik.
  4. Your submitted work contains no violation of any existing copyright or other third party right or any material of an obscene, libellous or otherwise unlawful nature.
  5. You have obtained permission for and acknowledged the source of any illustrations, diagrams or other material included in the work of which you are not the copyright owner.
  6. You have taken due care to ensure the accuracy of the work, and that, to the best of your knowledge, there are no false statements made within it.
  7. All co-authors of this submitted work are aware of, and in agreement with, the terms of this licence and that the submitted manuscript has been approved by these authors.

 

Publication licence

You retain copyright in your submitted work, according to journal license policy (CC-BY). By signing this form you agree that RGN zbornik may publish it under the publication licence. In summary the licence allows the following:

Anyone is free:

  • To copy, distribute, display, and perform the work.
  • To make derivative works.

 

Under the following conditions:

  • The original author must always be given credit.
  • The work may not be used for commercial purposes.
  • If the work is altered, transformed, or built upon, the resulting work may only be distributed under a licence identical to this one.

 

Exceptions to the licence

In addition to publishing the work printed under the above licence, RGN zbornik will also enable the work to be visible online.

The journal editorial can change the licence rules anytime but it cannot retroactively restrict author(s) rights.

 

Most read articles by the same author(s)