ABSTRACT
Recent experimental studies show that heat cured, low calcium fly ash based geopolymer possesses excellent mechanical and durability properties (Wallah & Rangan, 2006), (Fernandez-Jimenez et al., 2007), better resistance to aggressive acid attacks and bond with reinforcement (García-Lodeiro et al., 2007). They are more resilient under fire, at elevated temperatures and exhibit better corrosion resistance (Kovalchuk et al., 2007, Bastidas et al., 2008). Despite having boasted upon its properties, the geopolymerization reaction is very complex and depends on several factors including the chemical composition of the binder, nature of
1 INTRODUCTION
Geopolymer is a green cementitious binder which has significant potential for structural application as an alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). An alarming rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (5-7%) on cement production, monetary expenses, and sustainability performance of the built infrastructure has gained due attention in the last few decades (Benhelal et al., 2013, Sakulich, 2011). Limited reserves of limestone and increasing carbon taxes across the globe have thrown an additional challenge to the concrete industry, i.e. to combat the shortfall of virgin resources by utilizing higher proportions of waste pozzolan as partial cement replacement or search for other binders instead of OPC (Singh et al., 2015).
