INVESTIGATION ON FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF FERROCEMENT SLAB WITH GGBS & NANO SILICA

Abstract

The flexural behavior of ferrocement slabs using GGBS & Nano Silica based geopolymer mortar are investigated experimentally. The geopolymer mortar for ferrocement slab is prepared as 1:2. The binder composed of 65% fly ash, 25% sodium silicate and 10% sodium hydroxide. The percentage of fly ash is altered by using GGBS as 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% & 100% by its weight. Even though the optimum strength obtained with 100% fly ash by GGBS, 80% of GGBS addition is taken due to the early formation of cracks at 100% of GGBS addition. The performance of the selected mix is further improved by adding Nano Silica as 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% & 2% by weight of binder. With the 1.5% of Nano Silica and 80% of GGBS, the geopolymer mortar acquired over 250% increase in strength.