Physical and Mechanical Evolution of Ternary Geopolymer Mortars Under Various Curing Methods

Balapanov B. Montayev S. Canpolat O. Aygun B.F. Alkhabaze Y. Uysal M.
6 October 2025 Dr D. Pylarinos

Engineering, Technology and Applied Science Research
2025 #15 Issue 5 27406 - 27420 pp.

This study explores the mechanical and microstructural performance of Geopolymer Mortars (GMs) formulated with 50% ground granulated blast furnace Slag (S) from Türkiye and 25% of either Fly Ash (FA), Diatomite (D), or Opacifier Waste (OP) from Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance the material sustainability through ternary alkali-activated systems. All precursors were sieved below 90 μm and activated using a 2:1 blend of 12M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) with an Activator-to-Binder (A/B) ratio of 0.7 silica modulus (SM = 3.29), producing a water-to-binder ratio of approximately 0.28. GMs were cured under ambient, thermal (80 °C/24h), and electrothermal regimes (30 V, 40 V, 50 V) for 1–24 h. The highest compressive strength (35.03 MPa) was achieved under thermal curing, while 40 V electro-curing reached 31.34 MPa at 4 h, equivalent to 89% of the thermal maximum in only 14% of the time. The flexural strength under 40 V peaked at 5.66 MPa, surpassing the thermal values (5.44 MPa), and delivered the highest flexural strength-compressive strength ratio (approximately 0.20), indicating improved ductility. The water absorption and apparent porosity dropped by 29.2% and 7.2% under 40 V curing, while the bulk density increased to 2.04 g/cm³. The fuzzy logic and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) analyses ranked the 40 V condition as the highest overall due to its efficient balance of strength, durability, and energy performance. These findings position the controlled 40 V electro-curing as a rapid, energy-conscious alternative to conventional thermal methods, particularly valuable for prefabricated applications and resource-constrained construction environments.

diatomite , electrical curing , geopolymer , opacifier waste , physical and mechanical properties

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

Department of Architecture and Construction, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, Aitekebi 29A, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
Industrial Technological Institute, Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University, 51 Zhangir Khan Street, Uralsk, Kazakhstan
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, 34220, Turkey
Department of Civil Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, 34320, Turkey

Department of Architecture and Construction
Industrial Technological Institute
Department of Civil Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026