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This study presents the development and validation of a mix design determination procedure for geopolymer concrete to achieve the desired compressive strength. The procedure integrates artificial neural network (ANN) model developed based on a comprehensive data base from literature, data clustering, and parameter optimization techniques to enhance accuracy and reliability. Experimental validation is undertaken to demonstrate the mix design determination procedure’s capability to accurately predict mix designs for geopolymer concrete based on the target compressive strength, validating its efficacy for mix proportion determination. The integration of chemical oxide content in fly ash, curing time, curing temperature, and activator properties results in a 15.9% improvement in prediction accuracy for the training dataset and a 68.3% enhancement for the testing dataset, compared to the base ANN model that includes only the weight of fly ash and activator properties. Employing data clustering techniques enables the identification of prior estimates for the mix design parameters related to specific fly ash types and target compressive strength, streamlining the mix design process by analyzing pertinent data subsets. Parameter optimization ensures refined mix proportions, achieving the desired target strength economically while minimizing material waste and cost. The development of a user interface facilitates easy manipulation of mix designs, catering to users of varying expertise levels. Additional options for deeper insights into geopolymer concrete characteristics can be integrated into the mix design determination procedure. To assess the mix design determination procedure's ability to generalize effectively, a variety of fly ash samples with distinct chemical compositions were utilized, differing from those already present in the database. This approach allows for a thorough evaluation of the mix design determination procedure's performance when presented with fly ash compositions it has not encountered before. By doing so, this provides insights into the adaptability of the mix design determination procedure beyond the limitations of the training and testing datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of the chemical and physical properties of two abundantly available waste by-products in Sri Lanka, fly ash and rice husk ash (RHA) as precursor materials for the synthesis of alkali-activated binders. The suitability of the two types of fly ash and the replacement of fly ash by RHA (10% and 20% by weight of the binder content) were assessed. The study reports the development of compressive strength together with an in-depth analysis of the reaction mechanism of the blended RHA alkali-activated binders. The 100% fly ash mortar achieved the optimum compressive strength of 38.9 MPa at 28 days. Replacement of the fly ash with 10% and 20% RHA reduced the compressive strength by approximately 14% and 43%, respectively. The higher specific surface area of RHA and relatively higher unburnt carbon content in RHA were identified as the major factors influencing the low compressive strength obtained. Furthermore, the addition of RHA increases the reactive silica in the gel matrix and leads to an increase in the Si/Al ratio (3.70–3.89), which has a negative effect on the compressive strength. The difference in solubility rate of precursor fly ash and RHA negatively affect the formation of the gel matrix which is hypothesized as a further reason for the lower compressive strength observed in the RHA mixes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term impact on creep, drying shrinkage, and permeation characteristics of an innovative concrete produced with manufactured geopolymer coarse aggregate (GPA) has been investigated and compared with quarried Basalt aggregate concrete. Microstructure and pore-structure development up to 1 year were examined through scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, and X-ray computed tomography. Compressive strength and elastic modulus of GPA concrete varied from 34.6 to 50.8 and 18.5 to 20.5 GPa, respectively, between 28 and 365 days. The 1-year creep strain of GPA concrete was 747 microstrain while the calculated creep coefficient was 0.97, which is significantly lower than the creep coefficient predicted by AS 3600 and CEB-FIP models. Moreover, the 365-day drying shrinkage is 570 microstrain, which is also lower than the maximum permissible limit specified by AS3600. The GPA concrete displayed high water absorption, but lower air and water permeability compared to Basalt aggregate concrete. This is attributed to a porous surface layer with large number of capillaries increasing the water absorption of GPA concrete through capillary suction. The discontinuity in the pore network coupled with a condensed interfacial transition zone formed in GPA concrete could be the reason for lower permeability. Overall, the long-term performance of the GPA demonstrates a potential as a lightweight coarse aggregate for concrete, with the added advantage of reducing the environmental impact utilizing fly ash from coal-fired power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates low cement quaternary blend HVFA concrete mixes utilizing up to 80% cement replacement using fly ash, hydrated lime and nano-silica. The optimized concrete mixes achieved a compressive strength of 55 MPa and 48 MPa, for HVFA-65 and HVFA-80 concretes, respectively. Additional fly ash and hydrated lime dosage in HVFA concrete increased the rate of hydration of the C3A and C4AF phases but decreased the hydration of the C3S phase. This resulted in lower early age strength development in the HVFA concrete than occurs in PC concrete but significantly higher than for fly ash and hydrated lime alone. The addition of the nano-silica resulted in an increase in C–S–H gel incorporation of tetrahedrally coordinated aluminium (AlIV) into the HVFA concrete and the substitution of Si by Al in the C–S–H gel, leading to an increase in compressive strength in the HVFA concrete. Early age carbonation was increased with a higher of fly ash percentage. However, the reaction products dissolved in the pore water to form calcium bicarbonate with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]