Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
First Internaional Geopolymeric Composites Congress, Erzurum, Türkiye, 29 - 30 Aralık 2021, ss.9-16
Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is high-strength and durable composite produced with high
cement content. On the other hand, Geopolymers stand out as an alternative material to
Portland cement. In geopolymer production, industrial wastes such as silica fume,
granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash reduce environmental pollution. In this study, the
effect of curing temperature on the physical and mechanical properties of high-strength
reactive geopolymer concrete (RGC) was investigated. RGCs were cured for 8 hours at 40, 60
and 80 oC. Since the increase in curing temperature increased the evaporation of water in
the activator, the dry unit weight of RGCs decreased. As the curing temperature increased,
RGCs' compressive and flexural strength increased. RGCs cured at 80 oC for 8 hours had a
compressive strength of more than 140 MPa, while a flexural strength exceeded 10 MPa. The
increase in curing temperature decreases the capillary water absorption value of RGCs. A
denser matrix is obtained as the curing temperature increases, thus improving the physical
and mechanical properties. Due to the high matrix strength, cracks were observed on the
aggregate surfaces in SEM images. In addition, it was determined that silica fume
agglomerated in SEM images. It has been observed that gel voids smaller than 200 nm form
in the RGC matrix. As a result, it has been determined that high compressive strength can be
obtained in a short time (with low energy) at 80 oC temperature and 8 hours. Compressive
strength of more than 140 MPa was obtained after 8 hours without the need for high energy
like autoclave curing