Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach

This study examines the mechanical properties of Class C fly ash-based geopolymer mortar to optimize its use. Using Taguchi's experimental design methodology, compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted to determine the ideal mix ratios. An L16 orthogonal array with five factors and...

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Main Authors: Hasan Altawil, Murat Olgun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525001305
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author Hasan Altawil
Murat Olgun
author_facet Hasan Altawil
Murat Olgun
author_sort Hasan Altawil
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the mechanical properties of Class C fly ash-based geopolymer mortar to optimize its use. Using Taguchi's experimental design methodology, compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted to determine the ideal mix ratios. An L16 orthogonal array with five factors and four levels was used to assess the effects of sodium hydroxide concentration (10, 12, 14, and 16 M), alkaline solution-to-binder ratio, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio, water to geopolymer solids ratio, and aggregate percentage. Samples were cured at room temperature for 28 days. Results showed that the highest compressive strength (20.52 MPa) was achieved with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water-to-geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, sodium silicate-to sodium hydroxide ratio = 1.75, and aggregate percentage = 0.60, while the lowest (2.64 MPa) occurred with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water to geopolymer solids ratio = 0.55, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 2.5, and aggregate percentage = 0.65. Similarly, the highest flexural strength (4.69 MPa) was noted with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water-to-geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 1.75, and aggregate percentage = 0.60, and the lowest (0.57 MPa) with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water to geopolymer solids ratio = 0.55, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 2.5, and aggregate percentage = 0.65. The optimal parameters for maximum compressive strength were water-to-geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, molarity = 10 M, alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.40, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 2.0, and aggregate percentage = 0.70. For flexural strength, the optimal levels were water to geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, molarity = 10 M, alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.40, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 1.75, and aggregate percentage = 0.70.
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spelling doaj-art-28e52c66c5d44265852860ef53cbac682025-02-02T05:27:33ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e04332Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approachHasan Altawil0Murat Olgun1Corresponding author.; Department of Civil Engineering, Konya Technical University, Selçuklu, Konya, TurkeyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Konya Technical University, Selçuklu, Konya, TurkeyThis study examines the mechanical properties of Class C fly ash-based geopolymer mortar to optimize its use. Using Taguchi's experimental design methodology, compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted to determine the ideal mix ratios. An L16 orthogonal array with five factors and four levels was used to assess the effects of sodium hydroxide concentration (10, 12, 14, and 16 M), alkaline solution-to-binder ratio, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio, water to geopolymer solids ratio, and aggregate percentage. Samples were cured at room temperature for 28 days. Results showed that the highest compressive strength (20.52 MPa) was achieved with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water-to-geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, sodium silicate-to sodium hydroxide ratio = 1.75, and aggregate percentage = 0.60, while the lowest (2.64 MPa) occurred with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water to geopolymer solids ratio = 0.55, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 2.5, and aggregate percentage = 0.65. Similarly, the highest flexural strength (4.69 MPa) was noted with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water-to-geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 1.75, and aggregate percentage = 0.60, and the lowest (0.57 MPa) with alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.3, water to geopolymer solids ratio = 0.55, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 2.5, and aggregate percentage = 0.65. The optimal parameters for maximum compressive strength were water-to-geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, molarity = 10 M, alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.40, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 2.0, and aggregate percentage = 0.70. For flexural strength, the optimal levels were water to geopolymer solids ratio = 0.35, molarity = 10 M, alkaline solution-to-binder ratio = 0.40, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio = 1.75, and aggregate percentage = 0.70.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525001305Geopolymer mortarClass C fly ashSilica fumeCompressive strengthFlexural strengthTaguchi method
spellingShingle Hasan Altawil
Murat Olgun
Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Geopolymer mortar
Class C fly ash
Silica fume
Compressive strength
Flexural strength
Taguchi method
title Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach
title_full Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach
title_fullStr Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach
title_short Optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on Class C fly ash and silica fume: A Taguchi method approach
title_sort optimization of mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar based on class c fly ash and silica fume a taguchi method approach
topic Geopolymer mortar
Class C fly ash
Silica fume
Compressive strength
Flexural strength
Taguchi method
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525001305
work_keys_str_mv AT hasanaltawil optimizationofmechanicalpropertiesofgeopolymermortarbasedonclasscflyashandsilicafumeataguchimethodapproach
AT muratolgun optimizationofmechanicalpropertiesofgeopolymermortarbasedonclasscflyashandsilicafumeataguchimethodapproach