Performance of Geopolymer Concrete Under Sulfate Exposure

Synopsis: As a relatively ‘new’ material, geopolymer concrete offers the benefits as a construction material for sustainable development. It utilises waste materials such as fly ash and has a very low rate of green house gas emission. This paper presents the study of the performance of fly ash based geopolymer concrete to sulfate attack. Test specimens were soaked in sodium sulfate solution and sulfuric acid solution for various periods of time, and the performance of geopolymer concrete is studied by evaluating the effect on the compressive strength, change in length and change in mass. Test results show that exposure to sodium sulfate has no significant effect on geopolymer concrete, whereas exposure to sulfuric acid affects the compressive strength.