Preparation of Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) Using High-Silica Rice Husk Ash (RHA) Incorporating Alccofine

This study reports the fresh and hardened properties of the geopolymer concrete (GPC) prepared with rice husk ash (RHA). GPC were prepared using different RHA content (350, 375 and 400 kg/m³), the molarity of the NaOH (8, 12 and 16 M) and curing temperature (27 °C and 90 °C). GPC was activated using NaOH, Na₂SiO₃, and alccofine. The prepared GPC samples were tested for compressive and split tensile strengths after 3, 7 and 28 Days. The results indicate that the behavior of GPC prepared with RHA is similar to fly ash based GPC. Both 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 initial polymerization of GPC which improved mechanical properties of the GPC. High strength can be achieved by using the high concentration alkaline solution in term of molarity and at elevated heat curing. Further, RHA based geopolymer concrete has tremendous potential as a substitute for ordinary concrete.