STRENGTH ASSESSMENT OF HEAT CURED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE SLENDER COLUMN

Geopolymer and geopolymer concretes, being versatile in nature, have been acknowledged by research fraternity around the world. Many researches been undertaken, to date, dealt with the study on basic engineering properties of geopolymer mortars and unreinforced geopolymer concrete. Papers on application of geopolymer concretes as structural elements are found to be countable. This paper describes about the heat-cured geopolymer concrete slender circular columns using ASTM Class F Fly ash. This research focuses on the adaptability of Indian fly ash into geopolymer concrete structural members used primarily to support compressive loads. In this paper, geopolymer concrete slender circular columns of size 100mm diameter and length 1800mm with 2.16 % reinforcement are cast, tested and results are compared with its OPC concrete counterparts . Totally, 12 specimens of M30 and M50 grade slender columns were fabricated. Six specimens each for low calcium fly ash based reinforced Geopolymer concrete as well as for ordinary Portland cement reinforced concrete. The results have shown that the geopolymer concrete columns have exhibited increase in load carrying capacity, stiffness and ductility until failure.