Geopolymer cement composite containing agriculture solid wastes: mechanical and durability performance

Abstract

This research aims to experiment with the integration of agricultural solid wastes into the manufacturing process of cementitious materials, ensuring that the resulting products exhibit satisfactory durability and mechanical properties. In this study, geopolymer composite (GP) was prepared using ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) and Arachis hypogaea (AH) fine dry peels as an example of agriculture waste is commonly available in Egypt. Some selected GP mixes were reinforced by nano magnetite (Fe3O4,NF). The prepared GP was cured for 28 days at two different circumferences, a normal curing at 25°C or hydrothermal curing at 60°C/0.02MPa. The setting times and compressive strength of the different types of manufactured general purpose (GP) were evaluated. The durability of the prepared GP against firing as well as H2SO4 acid (5%) attack were measured. The findings demonstrated that BFS/AH based GP offered diminished setting times and GP mixes hydrothermally cured at 60°C/0.02MPa adopted higher mechanical properties than those cured normally at room temperature. Besides, incorporation of AH dry peels up to 10% in GP manufacturing boosted the mechanical properties during the first 3 days for GP mixes cured at room temperature. Additionally, in comparison to the reference mix, the blended mix showed an accepted resistance to the effect of firing and astonishing resistance to acid attack. Admixing GP with 1% NF improved its durability in the two deterioration actions studied.