Performance evaluation of ternary blended geopolymer binders comprising of slag, fly ash and brick kiln rice husk ash

The use of industrial and agro-based precursor materials from local sources can achieve desirable properties for geopolymer binders, and thus realize the carbon-efficient sustainable materials in the construction industry. At the same time, the synergy between these precursors can be assessed using the multilevel material investigation, which has not been explored extensively. Moreover, there are limited studies on ternary geopolymer synthesized with rice husk ash from uncontrolled burning source such as brick kilns. Therefore, this study evaluates the performance of ternary blended geopolymer binders comprised of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), fly ash (FLA), and brick kiln rice husk ask (BRHA), implementing the multilevel material approach. The experimental program includes assessment and comparative analyses of the properties of geopolymer binders such as setting time, flow, compressive strength, density, water absorption, and efflorescence. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses examine crystallographic structure and microscopic morphology of the composite binders. The initial setting time ranged from 21 min to 47 min for ternary mixes, in comparison to 21 min to 58 min for binary mixes. GGBFS significantly contribute in setting of binder due to hydration reaction and formation of C-S-H gel. The flow of ternary mixes exhibits standard deviation of 11.42 mm when compared to 20.96 mm of binary mixes. Lower dispersion in flow values suggests improved coaction between GGBFS, FLA, and BRHA. The compressive strength of ternary mixes improved when compared to the binary mixes. The optimum performance of 60 MPa was obtained for G60A40F95R5, which was 25% and 66.67% higher than binary mixes G60F40 and G60R40, respectively. Similarly, ternary mix G70A30F95R5 showed the least water absorption of 2.08% which was 53% and 58.4% lower than the binary mixes G70F30 and G70R30, respectively. The improvement in the properties of ternary mixes was confirmed from XRD analysis, which reveal coexistence of C-S-H along with crystalline SiO2 that positively improve the microstructure of the composite binder. Moreover, SEM analysis showed dense microstructure for ternary mixes when compared to binary mixes, which further validate the improvement in the strength of such binders. The sustainability analysis discloses the enhanced performance of ternary mixes, wherein, G60A40F95R5 showed 19.35% and 46.23% lower carbon dioxide parameter than binary mixes G60F40 and G60R40, respectively. All in all, the multilevel material investigation provides a great avenue to delve in to the best performing ternary mixes which will find desirable applications in construction industry.