Correlations between mechanical properties of low calcium fly ash geopolymer concretes

This paper reports the correlation between existing standards for concrete and the major mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete produced from a range of low-calcium, Class F fly ashes. The data were collected at set points over a 1-year period and include four different sources of fly ash used in the manufacturing of geopolymer concrete. New relationships between mechanical properties and compressive strength were derived using statistical regression analysis. The applicability of current relationships of portland cement (PC) concrete as specified in Australian standards and American Concrete Institute codes for geopolymer concrete have been critically examined. The results indicated that the flexural strength of geopolymer concrete is higher than those predicted using current design equations for PC concrete with a similar compressive strength. However, the splitting tensile strength of geopolymer concrete is comparable to that predicted using the current design equation for PC concrete with similar compressive strength. It was also observed that the ACI 363 R equation significantly overestimates the splitting tensile strength of geopolymer concrete. Similarly, AS 3600 overvalues the elastic modulus of geopolymer concrete. Both of these overestimations may be critical when compressive strength is below 40 MPa.