STUDIES ON THE INCORPORATION OF GEOPOLYMER WITH GGBS ADDITION THROUGH THE INFLUENCE OF CARBONATION CURING

Abstract

This study explores the incorporation of fly-ash geopolymer mortar through the incorporation of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and carbonation curing. The purpose of this study is to promote it as a competitive alternative to traditional cement products. Utilizing fly ash as the basis material, mixing with different weight percentages of GGBS (0%, 20%, and 30%). Evaluating compressive strength, porosity, autogenous shrinkage, accelerated carbonation, and efflorescence susceptibility of the specimens. Although GGBS enhances microstructure and early strength, it presents concerning issues including efflorescence, increased shrinkage, and Ca²⁺ induced expansion. Carbonation curing, on the other hand, significantly mitigates these problems; it can prevent gypsum formation-related expansion or cracking and reduce porosity by more than 10% in FA100 (without GGBS) specimens and double in FA70 (with 30% GGBS addition) specimens. The findings possibly suggest that fly-ash geopolymer mortar serves as an excellent replacement for traditional cement-based materials since the combination of GGBS and carbonation curing improves both its mechanical qualities and environmental sustainability.