• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Evolutionary algorithms based on conventional statistical methods such as regression and classification have been widely used in data mining applications. This work involves application of gene expression programming (GEP) for predicting compressive strength of fly ash geopolymer concrete, which is gaining increasing interest as an environmentally friendly alternative of Portland cement concrete. Based on 56 test results from the existing literature, a model was obtained relating the compressive strength of fly ash geopolymer concrete with the significantly influencing mix design parameters. The predictions of the model in training and validation were evaluated. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$), mean (${\mu}$) and standard deviation (${\sigma}$) were 0.89, 1.0 and 0.12 respectively, for the training set, and 0.89, 0.99 and 0.13 respectively, for the validation set. The error of prediction by the model was also evaluated and found to be very low. This indicates that the predictions of GEP model are in close agreement with the experimental results suggesting this as a promising method for compressive strength prediction of fly ash geopolymer concrete.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.683-688
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• 2017

This paper presents the experimental investigations on the compressive strength and permeation properties of geopolymer concrete prepared with low calcium fly ash as the primary binder activated with different percentage of Alccofine. The durability aspect was investigated by performing permeable voids and water absorption tests since permeability directly influences the durability properties. The test results show that Alccofine significantly improves the compressive strength and reduces the water permeability thus enhances the durability of geopolymer concrete at ambient curing regime which encourages the use of geopolymer concrete at ambient curing condition thus promising its use in general construction also.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.7-17
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• 2019

The complex phenomenon of the bond formation in geopolymer is not well understood and therefore, difficult to model. This paper present applied statistical models for evaluating the compressive strength of geopolymer. The applied statistical models studied are divided into three different categories - linear regression [least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and elastic net], tree regression [decision and bagging tree] and kernel methods (support vector regression (SVR), kernel ridge regression (KRR), Gaussian process regression (GPR), relevance vector machine (RVM)]. The performance of the methods is compared in terms of error indices, computational effort, convergence and residuals. Based on the present study, kernel based methods (GPR and KRR) are recommended for evaluating compressive strength of Geopolymer concrete.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2024

In this study, a new sustainable material was proposed to prepare precast tunnel lining segments (TLS), which were produced using a fiber-reinforced slag-based geopolymer composite. Slag was used as the geopolymer binder. In addition, polypropylene and carbon fibers were added to reinforce TLSs. TLSs were examined in terms of flexural performance, load-deflection response, ductility, toughness, crack characteristics, and tunnel boring machine (TBM) thrust force. Simultaneously, numerical simulation was performed using finite element analysis. The mechanical characteristics of the geopolymer composite with a fiber content of 1% were used. The results demonstrated that the flexural performance and load-deflection response of the precast TLSs were satisfactory. Furthermore, the numerical results were capable of predicting and realistically capturing the structural behavior of precast TLSs. Therefore, fiber-reinforced slag-based geopolymer composites can be applied as precast TLSs.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.216-222
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• 2010

Portland cement has been restricted in applications to ecological area because of its environmental harmfulness and the $CO_2$ emission during a production process. Geopolymer materials attract some attention as an inorganic binder due to their superior mechanical and eco-friendly properties. In this study, geopolymer-based cement was prepared by using aluminosilicate minerals (flyash, meta-kaolin) with alkaline-activators and its compressive strength with concentration of alkaline-activators was investigated. Aluminosilicate-based geopolymers were obtained by mixing aluminosilicate minerals, alkaline solution (NaOH or KOH with different concentration) and water-glass under the vigorous stirring for 20 min. Compressive strength after curing at $30^{\circ}C$ for 3 days increased with the concentration of alkaline-activator due to the enhanced polymerization of the aluminosilicate materials and dense microstructure. Aluminosilicate-based geopolymer cement using KOH as an alkaline-activator showed high compressive strength compared with NaOH activator. In addition, geopolymer cement using fly-ash as a raw material showed higher compressive strength than that of meta-kaolin.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2020

This paper reports the effect of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) in geopolymer concrete on strength, durability and microstructural properties under ambient curing at a room temperature of 25℃ and 65±5% relative humidity. Rice husk was incinerated at 800℃ in a hot air oven. and ground in a ball mill to achieve the required fineness. RHA was partially added in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 percentages to fly ash with 10% of GGBS to produce geopolymer concrete. Test results exhibit that the substitution of RHA in geopolymer concrete resulted in reduced strength properties during initial curing. In the initial stage, workability of GPC mixes was affected by RHA particles due to the presence of dormant particles in it. It is evident from the microstructural study that the presence of RHA particles densifies the matrix reducing porosity in concrete. This is due to the presence of RHA in geopolymer concrete, which affects the ratio of silica and alumina, resulting in polycondensation reactions products. This study suggests that incorporation of rice husk ash in geopolymer concrete is the solution for effective utilization of waste materials and prevention of environmental pollution due to the dumping of industrial waste and to produce eco-friendly concrete.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-60
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• 2015

This paper aimed to investigate the effect of MWCNTs on properties of slag Geopolymeric mortar. Geopolymeric matrices containing different MWCNTs concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 % by weight of the used binder) were synthesized. The Geopolymer mortar composed of aluminosilicate slag to sand (1:2), while the alumino silicate source binder composed of 50% air cooled slag and 50%water cooled slag both passing a sieve of $90{\mu}m$, while the sand passing a sieve of 1 ml. The materials prepared at water/binder ratios in a range of 0.34-0.39% depending on the added MWCNT, whereas the Gelenium Ace-30 superplasticizer used in the ratio of 1.4-2.2% from the total dry weight for better dispersion of MWCNT under sonication for 15 min. Alkaline activation of the Geopolymer mortar was carried by using of 6% NaOH. Curing was performed under temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ and 100% R.H. Results showed that the addition of MWCNTs enhanced the resulting amorphous geopolymer structure with marked decrease in the drying shrinkage as well as water absorption specially when using 0.1% MWCNT, while further increase in MWCNTs results in agglomeration in MWCNT within the matrix and so hinder the propagation of Geopolymerization reaction and negatively affect the formed geopolymer structure.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.345-358
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• 2017

This paper describes the experimental investigation carried out to develop geopolymer concrete using rice husk ash (RHA) along with alccofine. The study reports the fresh and hardened properties of the geopolymer concrete (GPC) activated using alkaline solution. GPC were prepared using different RHA content (350, 375 and $400kg/m^3$), the molarity of the NaOH (8, 12 and 16M). The specimens were cured at $27^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$. GPC was activated using NaOH, $Na_2SiO_3$, and alccofine. Prepared GPC samples were tested for compressive and splitting tensile strengths after 3, 7 and 28 days. RHA was suitable to produce geopolymer concrete. Results indicate that behavior of GPC prepared with RHA is similar to fly ash based GPC. Workability and strength can be improved by incorporating the alccofine. Further, alccofine and heat curing improve the early age properties of the GPC. Heat curing is responsible for the initial polymerization of GPC which leads to high workability and improved mechanical properties of the GPC. High strength can be achieved by using the high concentration alkaline solution in terms of molarity and at elevated heat curing. Further, RHA based geopolymer concrete has tremendous potential as a substitute for ordinary concrete.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.453-458
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• 2019

Today, concrete remains the most important, durable, and reliable material that has been used in the construction sector, making it the most commonly used material after water. However, cement continues to exert many negative effects on the environment, including the production of carbon dioxide (CO2), which pollutes the atmosphere. Cement production is costly, and it also consumes energy and natural non- renewable resources, which are critical for sustainability. These factors represent the motivation for researchers to examine the various alternatives that can reduce the effects on the environment, natural resources, and energy consumption and enhance the mechanical properties of concrete. Geopolymer is one alternative that has been investigated; this can be produced using aluminosilicate materials such as low calcium (class F) FA, Ultra-Fine GGBS, and high calcium FA (class C, which are available worldwide as industrial, agricultural byproducts.). It has a high percentage of silica and alumina, which react with alkaline solution (activators). Aluminosilicate gel, which forms as a result of this reaction, is an effective binding material for the concrete. This paper presents an up-to-date review regarding the important engineering properties of geopolymer formed by FA and slag binders; the findings demonstrate that this type of geopolymer could be an adequate alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Due to the significant positive mechanical properties of slag-FA geopolymer cements and their positive effects on the environment, it represents a material that could potentially be used in the construction industry.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.327-342
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• 2018

Geopolymer concrete (GPC), which is recognised as an environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, has been reported to possess high fire resistance. However, very limited research has been conducted to investigate the behaviour of geopolymer concrete-filled steel tubular (GCFST) columns at either ambient or elevated temperatures. This paper presents the compressive test results of a total of 15 circular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) stub columns, including 5 specimens tested at room temperature, 5 specimens tested at elevated temperatures and the remaining 5 specimens tested for residual strength after exposure to elevated temperatures. The main variables in the test program include: (a) concrete type; (b) concrete strength; and (c) curing condition of geopolymer concrete. The test results demonstrate that GCFST columns have similar ambient temperature behaviour compared with the conventional CFST counterparts. However, GCFST columns exhibit better fire resistance than the conventional CFST columns. Meanwhile, it is found that the GCFST column made with heat cured GPC has lower strength loss than other columns after exposure to elevated temperatures. The research results highlight the possibility of using geopolymer concrete to improve the fire resistance of CFST columns.