COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF KAOLIN-BASED GEOPOLYMER AND STANDARD SANDCRETE
Authors: *Abdullahi M, Rabiu D.S, Buhari M.B
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the possibility of producing a durable geopolymer sandcrete with natural kaolin obtained from Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria. The geopolymer sandcrete was cured at elevated temperature (100 oC) and its compressive strength was compared with that of the conventional sandcrete. The polycondensation process of aluminosilicate mineral using alkaline activator significantly influenced the compressive strength of the geopolymer sandcrete. It was observed that the geopolymer sandcrete unlike the control (standard sandcrete) showed increased compressive strength by 92.6% after 28 days of curing in ambient conditions. The initial high thermal (100 oC) condition could have resulted in the enhanced dissolution of aluminosilicate monomer which supports the development and refinement of the microstructure coupled with increased polycondensation process, hence the increased compressive strength observed in the geopolymer sandcrete.
Affiliations: Department of Chemical Engineering, the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria
Keywords: Kaolin, Cement, Sandcrete, Geopolymer, Compressive Strength
Published date: 2017/06/30
