article · Results in Engineering
Geopolymer materials offer environmental and economic advantages over conventional alternatives. This research focuses on producing an eco-friendly geopolymer concrete with high mechanical strength and good workability using local Moroccan industrial precursors, specifically metakaolin from Oulmes and blast furnace slag from the SONASID-Jorf steel factory. Using Response Surface Methodology and mixture design, the proportions of metakaolin, blast furnace slag, and alkaline activation solution were modelled and statistically optimised. The statistical analysis demonstrated high correlation coefficients and verified the significance of the mix components. Under optimal conditions, the formulation achieved a compressive strength of 35.31 MPa. Subsequent structural characterisation via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful synthesis and significant growth of the amorphous geopolymer phase through characteristic chemical bonding bands and diffraction peaks. Overall, the findings establish that statistical design approaches can successfully optimise geopolymer formulations derived from regional mineral and industrial waste resources.
Traditional cement production is highly carbon-intensive and depletes natural resources. Utilising regional industrial by-products such as blast furnace slag alongside local metakaolin enables the production of robust, low-carbon geopolymer concrete. By systematically identifying optimal mix proportions, this approach supports more sustainable construction practices and repurposes industrial waste into valuable infrastructure materials.
This work demonstrates an applied, laboratory-tested mix formulation for producing structural geopolymer concrete reaching over 35 MPa. It directly appeals to concrete manufacturers, construction firms, and industrial slag producers seeking low-carbon building materials. Because the study relies on local raw materials and experimental-scale mixture design, further pilot testing, field curing trials, and standards compliance evaluations are necessary before commercial deployment.
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Geopolymers have attracted considerable attention recently due to their promising environmental and economic benefits. This study used alkali activation to create an environmentally friendly material with good workability and high mechanical qualities from metakaolin from Oulmès, Morocco, and SONASID-Jorf steel factory slag (BFS). The authors optimized geopolymer synthesis using mixture design and Response Surface Methodology. The results demonstrate the importance of components in ANOVA modelling. This is evidenced by the high experimental Fisher factor (FCv = 16.8916 and FSt = 20.5902), which exceeds the critical value of the Fisher factor (Fc = 15.52) according to the F-test. In addition, the high values of the coefficient of determination (R2) and the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2Adj) indicate strong correlations between the experimental and calculated values (R2Cs = 95.48 % and R2Adj-Cs = 89.83 %, and R2St = 96.26 % and R2Adj-St = 91.58 %). Furthermore, the response surface analysis in the range of variables suggests that metakolin, blast furnace slags, and alkaline activation solution are best for the synthesis of a 35.31 MPa geopolymer. Under ideal conditions, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed bands associated with the asymmetric strain modes Si–O–Si and Al–O–Si in the metakaolin-BFS-based geopolymer. Similarly, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows a remarkable peak between 15° and 40° in 2Ɵ, indicating a significant growth rate of the amorphous phase corresponding to geopolymer formation. This study shows that design of experiments and response surface methods can optimize geopolymer synthesis, producing a material with high mechanical characteristics and good workability.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101573
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