IMPACT RESISTANCE OF FLY ASH BASED GEO POLYMER …iaeme.com/MasterAdmin/uploadfolder/IJCIET_07_05_032/IJCIET_07_05_032.pdf · smooth while the outer convex surface is rough. The fibres

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2016, pp. 292–303, Article ID: IJCIET_07_05_032

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=7&IType=5

ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication

IMPACT RESISTANCE OF FLY ASH BASED GEO

POLYMER CONCRETE USING COCONUT SHELL

AGGREGATE

K. P. Chandran

Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam, University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.

Dr. M. Natrajan

Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. India.

Dr. C. Meiaraj

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. India.

ABSTRACT

Global warming is a serious concern of the present day. One of the main reasons for global

warming is the excessive emission of carbon dioxide. The world wide use of concrete is next to

water. Production of Port land cement is highly energy intensive. Port land cement is the prime

component of concrete. During the production of one tone of cement an equivalent volume of

carbon dioxide is emitted. Hence, reduction in cement consumption will bring about reduction in

the use of energy resources and reduction in the formation of green house gases responsible for

global warming. There should be some alternative material to replace cement in concrete. In this

context, use of Geo polymer concrete, where no cement is consumed, has to be encouraged. Geo

polymer concrete is formed by the reaction of a source material which is rich in silica and alumina

with alkaline liquids. Low calcium Fly Ash is source material used in this study. Sodium hydroxide

and Sodium silicate are the alkaline activators. The coarse aggregate which is broken granite stone

is partially replaced with coconut shell aggregates which is lighter than granite stone and is an

agricultural waste product from coconut industries which is disposed as waste material. This study

reveals that partial replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell can be used for making

light weight geo polymer concrete which is having better Impact Resistance properties making it

ideal for Prefabricated Structures and Precast Structural elements. Addition of Steel fibre enhances

the impact resisting capacity.

Key words: Alkaline Solution, Coconut Shell, Fly Ash, Geo Polymer Concrete , Impact

Resistance, Steel fibre.

Cite this Article: K. P. Chandran, Dr. M. Natrajan and Dr. C. Meiaraj, Impact Resistance of Fly

Ash Based Geo Polymer Concrete using Coconut Shell Aggregate. International Journal of Civil

Engineering and Technology, 7(5), 2016, pp.292–303.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=7&IType=5

K. P. Chandran, Dr. M. Natrajan and Dr. C. Meiaraj


1. INTRODUCTION

Portland cement is the major component in the production of concrete used for making concrete. Energy

utilized for manufacturing cement is next to that for the production of Iron and Aluminum. Hence in the

present day in which scarcity of energy resources is a major concern, attempts should be made to reduce

the consumption of Port land cement and to explore the possibilities for alternate binding material. Geo

polymer concrete is a new material in which no cement is used as binder. Geo polymer is a type of

amorphous alumino hydroxide product with excellent binding properties. Geo polymer concrete is ideal for

construction and repair works and also for precast units. The properties of Geo polymer concrete are high

early strength, low shrinkage, freeze thaw resistance, sulphate resistance and corrosion resistance. Use of

Geo polymer concrete can save up to 80% of the carbon dioxide emission during the manufacture of

Portland cement. The Geo polymer concrete is formed by the polymerization process of a source material

which is rich in alumina and silica with alkaline liquids. They may be natural materials like kaolinite,

clays, red earth etc or by product materials such as Fly ash, silica fume, blast furnace slag, rice husk ash

etc. Fly Ash which is a byproduct from thermal power plants is available at lesser cost. It is available in

bulk quantities as a waste material and its disposal is a major issue. Alkaline liquids may be a combination

of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and sodium silicate or potassium silicate. In this study fly ash

is the source material and sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate are the alkaline liquids used.

The coarse aggregate usually used for making concrete is crushed granite or gravel. As these natural

resources are non renewable and excessive mining of these resources will have ecological impact, there

should be some alternative materials which are either waste materials or available in plenty at lesser cost.

India is the third largest producer of coconut in the world. Coconut trees are widely cultivated in south

India especially in Kerala. The name Kerala is derived from the word “Kera” which means Coconut.

Annual production of coconut in India is about 7600 million nuts. This may further increase with global

increase in demand. But the coconut shell is being disposed as a solid waste material. Coconut shell which

is a waste material from oil mills or similar coconut industries is available in bulk quantities in states like

Kerala. If the coconut shell is used as a construction material, the advantages are reduction in cost of

construction and reduction in waste accumulation. Coconut shell is a hard material and also biologically

non degradable. When it is crushed into pieces it has the properties desirable for coarse aggregate. In this

study, coconut shell aggregates are used in partial replacement of conventional granite stone aggregates.

Many Concrete structures are often subjected to impact loads. Studies have shown that usage of fibres

is advantageous in resisting both static and impact loads. Addition of fibres improves toughness of

concrete. In this study steel fibres are added in various proportions of source material and their effects

investigated.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, Low calcium Fly Ash is used as source material for preparing Geo-polymer concrete. Sodium

hydroxide and sodium silicate are used as alkaline liquids. Hard granite broken stone is used as coarse

aggregate. Crushed coconut shell is used for partial replacement of granite stone aggregates. River sand is

used as fine aggregate. The low calcium fly ash was brought from Thermal Power plant at Uduppi in

Karnataka state. Commercially available Sodium hydroxide having 97% purity and Sodium silicate were

used in the study. Locally available hard granite broken stone and river sand conforming to zone II were

used. Coconut shells were collected locally. Inner concave surface of the coconut shell is somewhat

smooth while the outer convex surface is rough. The fibres were cleared and the shells broken into small

chips. The coconut shell aggregates were washed and were used in saturated surface dry condition. The

pieces were made to 20 mm and down size. Average value of specific gravity was 1.30.Super plasticizer

was used to improve workability.

Alkaline liquids were prepared one day before preparation of concrete. Sodium hydroxide was

prepared for a molar value 10.The fly ash and aggregates were first mixed thoroughly and then alkaline

solutions and super plasticizer were added. Coconut shell aggregate was added to replace granite stone

Impact Resistance of Fly Ash Based Geo Polymer Concrete using Coconut Shell Aggregate


aggregate in 10%,20%,30% and40% in consecutive trials. Steel fibres with aspect ratio of 70 were used at

0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of Volume of Fly Ash.

3. TEST PROGRAMME

In this study Geo-polymer concrete specimens were casted without replacement of coarse aggregate, then

with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell aggregate. Specimens

were prepared without steel fibres, with 0.5%, 1% and1.5% of Fly ash added.

Size of the specimen is as per ACI standards. Diameter is 152 mm and thickness of specimen is

63.5mm.Geo polymer concrete may be cured at ambient conditions or heat curing may be resorted to. But

heat curing accelerates the gaining of strength. In this study the specimens are cured in oven at 600

c for 24

hours. The specimens are placed in the Impact testing equipment. Weight of dropping hammer is 45N and

the drop height is 457mm.Thespecimens are placed on the base plate with finished face up and positioned

within four legs of the Impact testing equipment. The bracket with cylindrical sleeve is fixed in place and

the hardened steel ball placed on the top of the specimen within the bracket. The drop hammer is then

placed with its base upon the steel ball and held vertically. The hammer is dropped repeatedly. The number

of blows required for the first visible crack to form on the top surface of the specimen is recorded and also

for the ultimate failure

Formation of first crack was found by visual observation and the corresponding number of blows noted

(N1) is recorded. The number of blows required to open the cracks in the specimen and the fractured

pieces touching the positioning legs (N2) is also recorded.

The impact strength in number of blows is shown in the table. The Impact energy delivered to the

specimen is calculated as

E1 = NWH: where E1 =Impact energy in Nm

N = No of blows

W = Weight of hammer =45 N

H =Height of fall =457 mm

Figure 1 Preparation of Geo Polymer Concrete



Figure 2 Coconut shells

Figure 2 Coconut shell aggregates

Table 1 Proportion of materials for Geo polymer concrete with CS aggregates

Material Mass Kg/m3

Coarse aggregate (including coconut shell

aggregate) 1200

Fine aggregate 550

Fly Ash 410

Sodium Silicate 110

Sodium Hydroxide 40

Super Plasticizer 6



Figure 3 Heat curing of impact specimen

Figure 4 impact test specimen



Table 2 Drop Weight Impact Test Results

Table 3 Energy Absorption of Impact Specimen in Nm

0% Replacement with CS

Aggregate 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

0% fibre

No of Drops for

First Crack N1 32 36 38 34 27

No of Drops for

failure N2 39 42 43 40 35

0.5% fibre

No of Drops for

FirstCrack N1 48 51 54 48 36

No of Drops for

failure N2 63 64 64 56 44

1% fibre

No of Drops for

First Crack N1 58 62 66 57 42

No of Drops for

failure N2 75 79 78 66 51

1.5% fibre No of Drops for

First Crack N1 49 53 55 50 36

No of Drops for

failure N2 61 63 62 59 44

0% Replacement with CS Aggregate 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

0% fibre

Impact Energy at First

crack E1 658 740 781 699 555

Impact Energy at

Failure E2 802 863 884 822 720

0.5% fibre


crack E1 987 1049 1110 987 740

Impact Energy at

Failure E2 1296 1316 1316 1151 905

1% fibre


crack E1 1193 1275 1357 1172 867

Impact Energy at

Failure E2 1542 1624 1604 1357 1049

1.5% fibre


crack E1 1007 1089 1131 1028 740

Impact Energy at

Failure E2 1254 1296 1275 1213 905



Figure 5 impact value vs % coconut shell aggregate Graph

Figure 7 Impact value Vs % Coconut Shell Aggregate Graph

Figure 8 Impact value Vs % coconut shell aggregate Graph

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 10 20 30 40 50

Imp

act

va

lue

% of Coconut shell aggrgate

Percentage of fiber -0%

Percentage of fiber -

0.5%



1.5%

0

10

20

30

40

50

0 10 20 30 40

Imp

act

va

lue

% of coconut shell aggragate

% Coconut shell aggregate Vs Impact value without

fibre reinforcements

impact value at first crack

impact value at failure

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 10 20 30 40

Imp

act

va

lue


% coconut shell aggregates Vs Impact value for fibre

Reinforcement 0.5%







Figure 11 Impact Energy Vs % Coconut Shell Aggregate Graph

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 10 20 30 40

Imp

act

va

lue

% Coconut shell aggregate

% coconut shell aggregates Vs Impact vaue for fibre

reinforcement 1%



0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 10 20 30 40

Imp

act

va

lue


% Coconut shell aggregates Vs Impact value for fibre

reinforcement 1.5%



0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

0 10 20 30 40 50

Imp

act

e

ne

rgy

in

Nm

% of Coconut shell aggrgate



0.5%



1.5%






0

200

400

600

800

1000

En

erg

y a

bso

rbe

d in

Nm

% of Coconut shell aggragate

% Coconut shell aggregate Vs Energy absorbed without

fibre reinforcement

impact energy at first

crack

impact energy at failure

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

0 10 20 30 40

En

erg

y a

bso

rbe

d in

Nm


% Coconut shell Vs Energy absorbed for fibre

reinforcement 0.5%


crack


0

500

1000

1500

2000

0 10 20 30 40

En

erg

y a

bso

rbe

d in

Nm



reinforcement 1%


crack



http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp

Figure 15 I

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSI

In this study, Impact strength character

granite stone aggregates with coconut shells aggregate in ratios

investigated. Steel fibres are added at 0%

evaluated. Coconut shell concrete has

shell and smaller size of aggregate. The

with alkaline solution of 10M after 24 hours heat curing at 60

of falls of the drop weight for the formation of first crack (N1) and the number of drops for failure (N2) is

recorded and the corresponding Impact Energy E1 and E2 are calculate

It is observed that corresponding to

aggregate there increase in impact

increase in impact value up to 1% addition of steel fibres

5. CONCLUSION

• the ratio of replacement of conventional aggregate.

• Partial replacement of coarse

Geo polymer concrete with coconut shell aggregate reduces with increase in

• Coconut shell aggregate Geo

also cost effective .

• Addition of steel fibres in Geo

• Fly ash based Geo polymer concrete with partial replacement of conventional aggregate with coco

aggregates proves to be an eco

REFERENCE

[1] Davidovits, J. Properties of Geopolymer Cements, in First International

and Concretes, 2005. Kiev. Ukraine, 2009: SRIBM, Kiev State Technical University.

[2] Balaguru P., Stephen Kurtz, and Jon Rudolph, Geopolymer for Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced

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[3] Rangan Vijaya B., Studies on Fly Ash

Journal, Vol-3, No.-2, 2008.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

0

En

erg

y a

bso

rbe

d in

Nm



http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 301

Impact Energy Vs % Coconut Shell Aggregate Graph

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

strength characteristics of Fly ash based Geo polymer concrete produced by replacing

ith coconut shells aggregate in ratios of 0%, 10

fibres are added at 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% and the variation in Impact value is

concrete has better workability because of the smooth surface on one side of the

aggregate. The impact strength of Coconut shell aggregate Geo

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of the drop weight for the formation of first crack (N1) and the number of drops for failure (N2) is

and the corresponding Impact Energy E1 and E2 are calculated.

It is observed that corresponding to the percentage replacement of coarse aggrega

increase in impact value nearly up to 20% replacement of coarse aggregate. There

1% addition of steel fibres.

ement of conventional aggregate.

eplacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell aggregate improves impact resist

Geo polymer concrete with coconut shell aggregate reduces with increase in ance

Coconut shell aggregate Geo polymer concrete is less energy intensive, makes use of waste materials and

eo polymer concrete with coconut shell aggregate enhances impact resistance.

polymer concrete with partial replacement of conventional aggregate with coco

eco friendly green technology for saving energy and protecting the environment

Davidovits, J. Properties of Geopolymer Cements, in First International


Balaguru P., Stephen Kurtz, and Jon Rudolph, Geopolymer for Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced

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10 20 30 40



reinforcement 1.5%


crack



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ggregate Graph

polymer concrete produced by replacing

, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% was

% and the variation in Impact value is

smooth surface on one side of the

strength of Coconut shell aggregate Geo-polymer concrete

the table. The average number

of the drop weight for the formation of first crack (N1) and the number of drops for failure (N2) is

the percentage replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell

replacement of coarse aggregate. There is

aggregate with coconut shell aggregate improves impact resist Density of

ance

makes use of waste materials and

polymer concrete with coconut shell aggregate enhances impact resistance.

polymer concrete with partial replacement of conventional aggregate with coconut shell

saving energy and protecting the environment.

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IMPACT RESISTANCE OF FLY ASH BASED GEO POLYMER …iaeme.com/MasterAdmin/uploadfolder/IJCIET_07_05_032/IJCIET_07_05_032.pdf · smooth while the outer convex surface is rough. The fibres