Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry Studies with Geopolymers

Rao, Sudhakar M and Acharya, Indra Prasad (2017) Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry Studies with Geopolymers. In: Indian Geotechnical Journal, 47 (4). pp. 495-502. ISSN 0971-9555

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Abstract

The present study examines the role of micro-structure on the compressive strengths of geopolymers using mercury intrusion porosimetry technique. Geopolymers were synthesized from pozzolanas such as, class-F fly ash, kaolinite, metakaolinite, ground granulated blast furnace slag and red soil. Geopolymer reactions were accomplished by alkali activation of the pozzolanas using 10 M NaOH solution at 100 °C for 7-days. The geopolymers exhibited tri-modal nature of pores i.e., macro-pore mode (entrance pore radius: 25–5000 nm), meso-pore mode (entrance pore radius: 1.25–25 nm) and air void mode (entrance pore radius >5000 nm). The micro pores (entrance pore radius <1.25 nm) do not contribute to porosity of the geopolymers. The fly ash geopolymer exhibited largest total intruded volume (0.3908 cm3/g), while the red soil geopolymer exhibited the least intruded volume (0.0416 cm3/g). Interestingly, geopolymers with higher intruded volumes were characterized by larger compressive strengths. The experimental results also indicated that geopolymers with larger air voids + macro pores volume exhibited superior compressive strength; the results imply that geopolymers which develop an open microstructure during polymerization are characterized by larger compressive strength, possibly from stronger bond formation in the silico aluminate structure.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Indian Geotechnical Journal
Publisher:	Springer India
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to the Springer India.
Keywords:	Compressive strength; Geopolymers; Mercury intrusion porosimetry; Micro-structure
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering
Date Deposited:	29 May 2022 07:43
Last Modified:	29 May 2022 07:43
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/72773

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