Study on the Alkali Activated Fly Ash Mortar

Abstract

The development of alkali-activated binders seems to present a greener alternative to OPC. The present study has been made on the low calcium fly ash with alkali activator as an alternative binding material as mortar. The mortar has been prepared with ennore sand and Indian fly ash mixed with alkali activator fluid consisting of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide of different concentrations. The effect of various parameters such as fluid to fly ash ratio, concentration of alkali activators, curing temperature and duration of curing on the compressive strength of mortar at different ages of 3,7, 28 days has been incorporated. 48 hours curing at about 60-70⁰C seems to be optimum for the present alkali activated fly ash mortar.