Development of geopolymer with pyroclastic flow deposit called Shirasu

Dhruva Narayana Katpady, Koji Takewaka and Toshinobu Yamaguchi

Abstract

The study presents a preliminary investigation on the applicability of Shirasu (a pyroclastic flow deposit characterized by high percentage of volcanic glass) in geopolymer. Comparative study on compressive strength and internal pore structure has been done between geopolymers with alkali activated Shirasu and fly ash as aluminosilicates. Mortar mix proportions are selected based on variations in ratio of alkaline activators to aluminosilicate and also on silica to alkali hydroxide ratio. From the experimental study, Shirasu geopolymer exhibited fairly good compressive strength. Mix proportion based on silica to alkali hydroxide ratio is observed to have profound effect on strength development.

Key Words

aluminosilicate; alkali activation; geopolymer; polymerization; pyroclastic flow; Shirasu

Address

Dhruva Narayana Katpady: Kagoshima University, Department of Ocean Civil Engineering, 1-21-40, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan Koji Takewaka and Toshinobu Yamaguchi: Department of Ocean Civil Engineering, Kagoshima University,1-21-40, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan

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