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Sulphate Resistance of Geopolymer Bamboo Ash Concrete

Conference Paper · December 2016

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Sulphate Resistance of Geopolymer Bamboo Ash Concrete

Shafiq Ishak1,a, *Mohd Azreen Mohd Ariffin 2,b, Muhammad Fakhruddin 3,c , Mohd Warid Hussin 4,d ,
Han-Seung Lee5.e, Mohamed Ismail6,f
1,3,4
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor,
Malaysia
2
Forensic Engineering Centre, Institute for Smart Infrastructure Innovative Construction, Faculty of
Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
5
Department of Architectural Engineering, Hanyang University, 1271 Sa 3-dong, Sangrok-gu, Ansan
426-791,Korea
6
Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science,
Curtin University Sarawak, CDT 250, Miri 98009, Sarawak, Malaysia
a
mrshafiqishak@gmail.com, b mohdazreen@utm.my, c fakhri84@gmail.com, d warid@utm.my,
e
ercleehs@hanyang.ac.kr , f m.abdelkader@curtin.edu.my

ABSTRACT

This research highlighted the behaviour of using bamboo ash as binder in geopolymer concrete against
sulphate attack. Concrete has been using for a very long time ago as a construction material. Extensive
studies on cement and sand replacement have been carried out over the year. However, the performances
of bamboo ash as binder in concrete are not yet specified. Besides of being a renewable material and
having some noted strength, bamboo has not been fully utilized as a building material. With the high
consumption of high-performance concrete in building industry, it is possible that bamboo will become
increasingly important in the near future. The outcome of the research will provide new ways to utilize
the bamboo as construction and sustainable material. An experimental procedure for the design of
geopolymer bamboo ash concrete (GBA) mixes was discussed. Compressive strength at the ages of 7
days, 14 days and 28 days was shown higher than 50 MPa. GBA concrete have a better resistant against
sulphate attack compared to the normal OPC at the ages of 28 days.

KEYWORDS: Geopolymer, Bamboo Ash, Slag, Sulphate Resistance.

1. INTRODUCTION

Rapid development in Malaysia has increased the consumption of concrete, where about 16.5 million
tons of cement is consumed annually. As increase the demand of concrete year by year, the demand in
high performance and durability concrete also increase. Most of the building like high-rise or bridges
needs both strength and durability as important considerations. In construction industries, they focused
on development of crush stone as the construction material. At the same time, ordinary Portland cement
(OPC) is not effective against sulphate attack in soil or water. Therefore, construction industry was force
to produce renewable material that high performance in strength and durability as well as environmental
friendly, such as using bamboo ash as binder in construction material.

2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 Preparation of Materials

Materials used in this research consist of Bamboo Ash, Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag, fine and coarse
aggregates and alkaline solution. All the materials were weighed precisely. All materials were mixed by
hand and cured at ambient temperature. After mixing, it needs to be compacted for 25 times using rod
compactor that have 380mm and 1.8kg for long and weight respectively for each 3 layer. The casting
time must not exceed 45 minutes or else, geopolymer concrete will become harden. The specimen were
prepared in 100mm x 100mm x 100mm cubes. All samples were cured at air curing and sealed with
plastic bag to avoid outside moisture.

2.2 Mix Design

The ultimate mix design proportions of geopolymer bamboo ash (GBA) concrete were determined using
the trial and error method. Few mixes with various levels of bamboo ash and slag were made during this
trial mix stage. The mix proportion was finalized based on compressive strength of concrete at age 7
days.

Table 1 demonstrates the mix proportion used in this research. All GBA concrete samples were made
with solution to binder ratio at 0.4. The ratio of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
solution is 2.5 ratios according to Mohd Azreen (2014). The coarse and fine aggregate ratio is 50%:
50% for all samples. The compressive strength of geopolymer trial mix was compared to decide the
ultimate trial mix and then proceed for the sulphate resistant test.

Purpose Solution Bamboo Alkaline Alkaline Aggregate Admixture

To Ash Solution Ratio
Binder
Binder Ratio
Ratio (%)
Bamboo Slag Sodium Sodium (Na2SiO3 Fine Coarse (Kg/m3)
Ash (Kg/m3) Silicate Hydroxide : NaOH) (Kg/m3) (Kg/m3)
(Kg/m3) (Kg/m3) (Kg/m3)
Trial 0.4 10 40 360 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
Mix 0.4 15 60 340 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
7 Days 0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
14 Days 0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
28 Days 0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
Sulphate 0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
Test 0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
0.4 20 80 320 114.286 45.714 2.5 : 1 867 867 6
Table 1. Mix Proportions of Geopolymer Bamboo Ash Concrete

4. RESULT

All data were presented and analysed based on compressive strength as shown in Table 3. The highest
compressive strength between the trial mix were chosen as the ultimate mix design and then will tested
against the sulphate attack.

4.1 Trial Mix

In the trial mix stage, 3 samples were cast with various level of binder proportion. Figure 1 show the
compressive strength result against the ratio of bamboo ash to slag. The ratios used are 10%: 90%, 15%:
85% and 20%: 80%. All samples were tested at age 7 days. From the Figure 1 shown that GBA concrete
with 20% of bamboo ash show the best result with the highest compressive strength. This ratio was
chosen as the ultimate mix design and were used for further analysis.
 Compressive Strength VS Binder Ratio
70 69.32
Compressive Strength (MPa)

68
65.58
66

64

62 61.07

60

58

56
10BA:90S 15BA:85S 20BA:80S
Bamboo Ash to Slag (Ratio)
Figure 1. The compressive strength of GBA concrete trial mix

4.2 Compressive Strength

All of the samples were tested under compression at the age of 7 days, 14 days and 28 days. The results
were shown in Figure 2 and Table 2 to observe the development of compressive strength of GBA
concrete compared to normal OPC concrete.

Compression Strength (MPa) vs Ages (Days)

90
80.48
75.03 74.11 77.05 75.42 79.66
80
Compressive Strength (MPa)

70.49 72.42
70 62.78
60
50 45.73

40 35.66

30
18.75
20
10
0
7 days 14 days 28 days
Ages (Days)
OPC Bamboo Ash + Slag

Figure 2. Compression strength under different curing period

Table 2 : Compressive strength of various sample
Samples Compressive Strength
(MPa)
7 Days 14 Days 28 Days
OPC 18.75 35.66 45.73
GBA 1 62.78 74.11 75.42
GBA 2 75.03 72.42 80.48
GBA 3 70.49 77.05 79.66

Based on Figure 2 and Table 2, the compressive strength of concrete mix was increased with the age of
concrete. At early age, the strength development of GBA concrete comparatively more overwhelming
compared to those OPC concrete. However, there is difference in the strength of GBA concrete over the
period causes by addition of extra water during casting. Thus, the result was decreased a little bit for the
fresh geopolymer concrete mix.

4.2 Sulphate Resistance

The sulphate resistance test was to identify the durability of GBA concrete against sulphate attack. First,
the specimens were immersed in sulphate solution for 28 days, and tested for its compressive strength.
Table 3 shows the compressive strength of the concrete after immersed in sulphate solution. The GBA
concrete show less decline of strength that is average at 2.57% compared to OPC at 3.83% strength of
decline. Due to high amount of silica in bamboo ash, it helps GBA concrete against sulphate attack. The
better performance of GBA concrete in a 5% Sodium Sulphate (Na2SO4) solution was due to a more
stable aluminosilicate geopolymer structure as compared to the normal OPC.

Table 3. Compressive strength after immersed in sulphate solution.

Compresive
Binder Strength
Solution to Compressive Percentage
after
No Binder Strength at of Strength
Sulphate
Ratio Bamboo 28d (MPa) Reduce (%)
Slag(Kg/m) Immersion
Ash(Kg/m3) (MPa)
OPC 0.4 - - 43.98 45.73 3.98
GBA 13 0.4 80 320 75.72 78.52 3.57
GBA 14 0.4 80 320 76.41 78.52 2.69
GBA 15 0.4 80 320 77.38 78.52 1.45

5. CONCLUSIONS

From this research, the conclusions can be made on the basic of the test result that the best ratio for the
binder is 20% of bamboo ash and 80% of slag. Besides, the combination of bamboo ash and slag regain
strength at early age. This was proved from the compressive strength result of GBA concrete at 7 days.
Apart from that, GBA concrete slightly increase the resistance against sulphate attack and thus proved
that GBA concrete has a better resistance against sulphate attack compared to normal OPC concrete.
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