ANNEXURE D

RESEARCH PLAN
1.0 Research Identification
1
2
3

Engineering Discipline in which

the Research is sought to be carried
Major Area of Research
Minor Area of Research

Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
Geopolymer Concrete

2.0 Research Proposal

2.1 Introduction
Geopolymer Concrete the term Geopolymer originates from Frenchman, Joseph Davidovits
who coined the term in the 1970s to describe an inorganic polymer material (Davidovits,
2008). While Davidovits work was not the first example of inorganic polymers, the alternate
Russian name did not make its way into the English language (Duxson et al. 2006). Recent
developments and academic research resulted in the term Geopolymer being used more
commonly to describe a binder that is produced from a reaction between aluminosilicate
materials and alkali-based materials (alkali hydroxide/alkali silicate). This binder has many
properties equal to or superior to OPC in many aspects including; compressive strength, fire
resistance, chemical resistance, ductility and workability, however it is not without its
disadvantages (Concrete Institute of Australia, 2011). The aluminosilicate used for GPC can
be any minerals composed of aluminium, silicon and oxygen. The aluminosilicate used can
vary from synthesised materials through to Metakoilite through to fly ash, while the
activating chemicals are often Sodium-hydroxide and Sodium-silicate. (Ravikumar,
Peethamparan & Neithalath, 2010) Due to its relatively recent discovery and acceptance
within industry there is limited data to support claims of superiority and long term
performance. Dumitru, Khatri and Mukhin (2011) show that GPC has several unique
disadvantages that OPC does not, these include issues with the mix design being effected
more by the moisture content of aggregate, issues with increased shrinkage when the GPC is
cured naturally (not steam cured), issues with the extra cohesiveness of the GPC on mixing
and finishing equipment, as well as issues with potential corrosion of steel reinforcement due
to lower alkalinity in GPC. Radlinski, Harris and Moncarz (2011) suggest the performance
and advantages of Geopolymers can vary greatly based on the intrinsic chemical properties of
fly ash and or slags used and suggest further guidelines are required to enable correctly
designed mixes. It is apparent that the advantages of Geopolymer outweigh the disadvantages
considering the production of GPC is a rapidly growing industry that along with other

supplementary cements is predicted to surpass that of ordinary Portland cement. As stated,

GPC has several properties that are comparable, or superior to those of OPC, with one of
more crucial being its environmental advantages. Considering the production of OPC
produces approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide per tonne of cement produced and over
2 billion tonnes of concrete is produce every year (2.35 billion tonnes in 2006) (Harris,
Moncarz, and Radlinski, 2011) it is no surprise that the concrete industry accounts for
between 5% and 10% of global greenhouse gases each year (Concrete Institute Australia,
2011). With the recent decision by the Australian Government and other governments to
implement a Carbon tax, the concrete and construction industries could face large increases in
costs if alternatives are not considered. This is where GPCs become so crucial. GPC that use
fly ash as the main ingredient are considered to have a carbon footprint up to 80% less than
that of OPC (Concrete Institute Australia, 2011) due to the fact that fly ash is a by-product of
coal based energy production. By reusing the fly ash in both GPC and as a supplement to
OPC means less virgin materials will be mined and processed to meet the demand for
concrete. Furthermore, the use of fly ash in large volumes will have the added benefit of less
material being sent to waste disposal facilities or landfills. Figure 1 is an excerpt from the
Concrete Institute of Australias Recommended Practice: Geopolymer Concrete (2011) and
shows three predictions for the amount of cement, supplementary cementitious materials
(SCM) and CO2 produced in 2020. The data for 1990 and 2005 are actual tonnage. a) Case 1
assumes the concrete and construction industries do not take any serious measures to change
cement production and has assumes a 22% increase in SCM produced; b) Case 2 assumes
industry attempts to reduce the amount of CO2 to those of 2005 by increasing production of
SCM such as GPC; and c) Case 3 assumes industry makes serious change and is only
achievable if GPC becomes the standards and replaces OPC. With this in mind it is easy to
understand why alternatives to OPC, such as GPC, are being investigated by academics,
industry leaders and policy makers, and why projects like this will potentially establish the
building blocks for the future of GPCs. Geopolymer Concrete is a subject currently receiving
close attention from researchers in a wide range of research centers, mainly concerned with
practical applications. In current practice, structural engineers usually conventional concrete
is associated with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) which is the main binder in the concrete.
It is known that the production of ordinary Portland cement consumes significant amount of
natural resources, high energy and at the same time contributes a large volume of greenhouse
gasses to the atmosphere. Thus it is a need to develop sustainable alternatives to conventional
concrete utilizing more environmental friendly materials. Sustainability is an important issue

that should be concerned in making an improvement because it is a key in the all aspect of
society, economics, environment and development. Concretes based on fly ash geopolymers
have been synthesized and characterized. However, limited research can be found in current
literature regarding concrete based on Metakaoline geopolymer.
2.2 The need and importance of the problem
29.1.2. Definition of the problem
Portland cement is the oldest and the most widely manufactured cement. The main reactive
products, during setting, are calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) due to the hydration of
3CaOSiO2 (C3S) and 2CaOSiO2 (C2S).These are usually referred to as C-S-H gel. This is the
most important phase in determining the properties of the cement paste. The exact structure
of C-S-H gel is not known, the PowersBrunauer model suggests that the C-S-H has a layer
structure with a high surface area and similarities to the 1.4-nm tobermorite or jennite.
Geopolymer was a term introduced by Davidovits. This is a broadly termed inorganic
polymer. In the synthesis of geopolymer, the chemical reaction may consist of the following
steps: (1) dissolution of Si and Al atoms from the source material through the action of
hydroxide ions, (2) transportation, orientation or condensation of precursor ions into
monomers, (3) setting or polycondensation/polymerisation of monomers into polymeric
structures. Moreover Aiello et al. and Ivanova et al. mentioned that a supersaturated alumino
silicate solution (SAS) is created and the time for the SAS to form a continuous gel varies
considerably with: raw materials, solution com-position, processing and synthesis conditions.
Geopolymer can be made from fly ash, slag or calcined kaolin (Metakaoline), the later with
high compression strength. Other research has dealt with the kinetics of polymerization of
geopolymers. Geopolymers have received considerable attention from scientists worldwide,
because of their low cost, excellent mechanical and physical properties, low energy
consumption and reduced greenhouse emissions at the elaboration process. Geopolymer
can be used as a binder instead of port- land cement paste, to produce concrete. Concretes
based on fly ash geopolymers have been synthesized and characterized. However, limited
research can be found in current literature regarding concrete based on Metakaoline
geopolymer. Hence a detailed study is planned to evaluate the Stress-Strain properties of
Metakaoline based Geopolymer Concrete with reference to the its influencing Parameters
Viz., Molarity of NaOH solution, Ratio of Na2SiO3 to NaOH and Method of Curing.
2.3 Objective of the Research defined:
The main objectives of the present study are 1. To establish a methodology for performing of Geopolymer Concrete.

2. To evaluate the applicability and usefulness of different Materials as they apply to

Geopolymer Concrete.
3. To design the mix and find the strength of the Geopolymer Concrete as per the IS
Code
4. To identify and assess significant impacts of the geopolymer concrete by finding
Stress Block Parameters.
2.4 Scope of the Research defined:
The scope of the study is to enhance the industry understanding of the sustainable utilization
of matakaoline and GGBS, and to identify any gaps in current knowledge. The term
sustainable utilization implies the use of matakaoline and GGBS to their full potential to meet
the needs of the present, while at the same time conserving natural resources and finding
ways to minimize the environmental impacts.
3.0 Calendar
Sl. No.

Mile Stone

Problem definition and scope

finalization at Macro Level
Literature Survey
Problem definition and scope
finalization at Micro Level
Course work and Qualifying the
Pre PhD Examination
Investigation and Paper
Publication
Thesis Compilation
Development and submission of
Synopsis
Submission of Thesis
Total duration

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Effort in
Man Months
6

Percentage of
completion
100

Expected Date
of Completion
31-12-2013

3
3

100
100

30-03-2014
31-06-2014

100

31-09-2014

21

20

30-06-2016

6
3

0
0

31-12-2016
31-03-2017

3
48

30-06-2017

4.0 Expected Laboratory Setup

Laboratory Setup Required
Sl. No.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Hardware Component
Universal Testing Machine
(UTM)
Compression Testing
Machine (CTM)
Concrete Mixture (Pan Type)
Servo controlled (Strain
Controlled) Compressive

Component Description

Quantity

Testing Machine

Testing Machine

Mixture Machine
Testing Machine

1
1

testing Machine of 3,000 kN

Capacity
Clients
Sl
No
1
2
3

Hardware Component
Computer
Printer
Scanner

Network
Sl
No
1

Network Component
USB Port for internet

Software
Sl
No
1
2

Component
Description
System
System component
System component

Quantity

Component
Description
System Component

Quantity

Software Component

1
1
1

Component
Description
Software
Software

Ms Project
SPS Software

Quantity
1
1

5.0 List of Primary Text Books

Sl
No
1

Name of the Text

Book
Concrete Technology

Publisher

Edition

Year

Tata Mc Gral

3rd

2000

6.0 List of Journals, expected to be referred

Sl
No

Name of the Journal

Publisher

Frequency

Applied Mechanics and Materials

Trans Tech Publications,

Switzerland

Bi-Monthly

Construction and Building

Materials

Elsevier

Online

7.0 List of Digital Libraries, expected to be referred

Sl
No
1

Name of the Digital Library

Publisher

Central Library

KLU