Experimental investigation on metakaolin/coal fly ash-based porous geopolymer grouting material for geotechnical applications
Karla Sierra,Philip Park,Chu-Lin Cheng,Yong Je Kim,Jae-Hoon Hwang,Bubryur Kim,Boo Hyun Nam,Jinwoo An
Abstract
This research investigates the development of a porous geopolymer cement grout for soil grouting applications, aiming to reduce carbon emissions associated with Portland cement while maintaining critical performance characteristics such as strength and permeability. Class F fly ash and metakaolin were used as aluminosilicate precursors, activated by sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. The addition of hydrogen peroxide served as a foaming agent to introduce porosity. Compressive strength and porosity were evaluated, with results showing that metakaolin significantly increased compressive strength due to its smaller particle size and higher reactivity. A higher molarity of sodium silicate enhanced strength by reducing the water-to-solid ratio, creating a denser matrix. In contrast, increasing hydrogen peroxide content raised porosity but reduced compressive strength by generating gas bubbles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the ongoing formation of hydration products and a growing amorphous structure in the geopolymer matrix, contributing to strength development over time. The study concludes that the geopolymer grout can be optimized for a wide range of soil stabilization applications by adjusting material composition, foaming agent concentration, and activator molarity, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional cement grouts.
Karla Sierra, Chu-Lin Cheng — Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, Texas, U.S.A
Philip Park and Jinwoo An — Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, Texas, U.S.A; Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM), Texas, U.S.A
Yong Je Kim — Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, U.S.A
Jae-Hoon Hwang — Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Bubryur Kim — School of Space Engineering Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; Department of Robot and Smart System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; Department of Safety Convergence, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
Boo Hyun Nam — Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Suwon, South Korea
PDF Viewer
Preview is limited to the first 3 pages. Sign in to access the full PDF.
