Effect of superplasticizer on properties of Geopolymer mortar containing fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

Abstract

The paper presents the effect of two types of superplasticizers (SP) on the properties of geopolymer mortar made with fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). The geopolymer mortar was produced using sodium silicate, fly ash, GGBFS, river sand, water, and two types of SP. Experimental results indicate that each type of superplasticizer affects the properties of geopolymer mortar differently, however the ifferences are not significant. Increasing the SP content improves the workability of geopolymer mortar, decreases compressive and flexural strength at early ages (3 and 7 days) while having little effect at 28 days. The compressive and flexural strength of geopolymer mortar is lower than that of PCB40 cement mortar. The influence of SP on the properties of cement mortar is more effective compared to geopolymer mortar.