Study on properties of fly ash-based geopolymer mortar combined with sugarcane bagasse ash

Abstract

Research on the production of geopolymer materials as a solution to reduce CO₂ emissions from the Portland cement industry, contributing to sustainable construction. Climate change and global warming are the main drivers behind researching geopolymer materials. This paper evaluates the influence of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) on the properties of low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer mortar. Five geopolymer mortar mixtures were prepared by replacing fly ash with SCBA at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. Additionally, a Porland cement mortar mixture was prepared for comparison. The experimental investigations focused on evaluating dry density, water absorption, porosity, compressive strength, and flexural strength of the samples. The results indicate that geopolymer mortar exhibits superior mechanical properties compared to Portland cement mortar. Adding 5-10% SCBA by weight into the geopolymer mixture was identified as the optimal ratio, achieving high compressive strength and durability. Furthermore, the study found a correlation between the properties of the resulting mortar and the chemical composition and morphology of the initial materials. These findings highlight the potential of SCBA as a beneficial precursor in geopolymer mixtures, enhancing both environmental sustainability and the performance of construction materials.

Keywords: Sugarcane bagasse ash; fly ash; physical properties; mechanical properties; geopolymer mortar.