Effect of Source Type on Pore Structure and Properties of Aerated Geopolymer Concrete

A study has been carried out to produce environmentally friendly lightweight concrete by substituting cement with alternative geopolymer binders. Fly ash and silica fume (waste materials) were used as source materials and their effect on pore structure and properties of aerated geopolymer concrete was evaluated. Autoclaved aerated concrete, locally known as thermostone, was supplied from the market and tested as a reference mix. Three aerated geopolymer concrete mixes (around 550 kg/m3 density) were produced by mixing source materials (fly ash and silica fume), activator solution (sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide), and aeration agent (aluminum powder). It was found that by not only enhancing the pore structure but also improving the binder medium, the aerated geopolymer mixes were stronger and less absorbed than the autoclaved aerated concrete mix. However, the thermal insulation of the aerated concrete mix was better than those of aerated geopolymer concrete mixes. In terms of the source material, it was found that usage of fly ash helped in enhancing the strength by about 100% of autoclaved aerated concrete. In addition, unless its lowest density, aerated geopolymer mix made with fly ash and silica fume in combination absorbed less water than the other investigated mixes. Adding superplasticizer to the geopolymer mix helped in enhancing its pore structure by making the pores smaller, their irregularity lesser, and their number higher. In general, an environmentally friendly lightweight material with strength and absorption better than those of autoclaved aerated concrete was produced by adopting a geopolymerization process.