Effect Of Elevated Temperature Curing on the Compressive Strength of Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional Portland cement concrete due to its reduced carbon emissions and utilization of industrial by-products. This study investigates the effect of heat curing on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete using fly ash as the primary binder and Palm Oil Shell Ash (POSH) as a partial replacement material. Two alkaline activators to fly ash ratios were considered, namely 0.55 and 0.825. Specimens were cured under ambient conditions and heat curing at 60°C for 24 hours. Experimental results indicate that heat curing significantly enhances compressive strength compared to room temperature curing. The incorporation of POSH also contributed to strength improvement and sustainable waste utilization. The findings demonstrate that controlled heat curing is an effective technique for improving geopolymer concrete performance.