Influence of Molasses as Bio-plasticizer in Enhancing the Hydrophobic Properties of Self-consolidating Geopolymer Concrete
摘要
Geopolymer addresses modern construction challenges by aligning with contemporary building demands for sustainability. Low calcium fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag the precursor for geopolymer concrete are activated by high concentration alkalis to trigger polymerization reaction. The perks related to performance and curtailed energy consumption in operational processes can be accomplished by employing self-consolidating cement free concrete. The limited flowability of fresh self-consolidating geopolymer concrete is attributed to the substantial viscosity of sodium silicate solution. In the current study molasses is adopted as bio-plasticizer to address the issues related to workability. In order to streamline ambient curing and further improving the fresh property of the mix 25% low calcium fly ash and 75% ground granulated blast furnace slag were used as aluminosilicate materials. A critical factor in assessing the potential adoption of self-consolidating cement free concrete in the construction sector is the composite’s hydrophobicity. The durability properties (sorptivity as per ASTM: C 1585, water permeability as per DIN 1048, water absorption as per BS 1881-122 and initial surface absorption as per BS 1881: Part 208) along with the morphology were scrutinized in detail by activating the aluminosilicate materials by varying strings of activator ratio (1.00, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00) and molasses (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1%). The experimental outcome concluded, the mix with 3.00 activator ratio and 0.75% molasses demonstrated exemplary compressive strength, durability and denser microstructure while also offering adequate workability adhering to the EFNARC standards for self-compacting concrete.