Development of High Strength Ambient Cured Fly Ash Geopolymer Concrete Using Low NaOH Molarity

Concerns about carbon emissions have recently grown, fuelling interest in using by-product materials in concrete. Consequently, researchers have made significant efforts to develop alternative binder materials to traditional cement. Among the alternatives, alkali-activated materials, particularly those made from industrial by-products such as granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash. This study was successful in developing fly ash geopolymers with compressive strengths ranging from 30 MPa to 60 MPa under ambient curing conditions and using a range of low NaOH concentrations. In addition to the successful development of high compressive strength geopolymers, the mechanical, fresh, microstructural, and durability characteristics are investigated.