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CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, details on the constituents that made up for geoplymer concrete
mortar, the mixture design, and preparation of the geopolymer concrete mortar are
described. After that, the process of preparation for each materials is explained in details
before mix up all the materials. The process of batching, mixing and casting of the mix
is illustrated continue with oven curing. After the geopolymer concrete mortar is
hardened after 1day of oven curing, the engineering properties in terms of compressive
strength (ASTM C 109) and porosity test (ASTM C 642-69 T). Each of the testing is
illustrated and elaborated to obtain the result.

Figure 3.1 shows the flowchart of the whole process flow for this study, from
propose title, literature review, material preparation, trial mix, tests, result & analysis
and conclusions & recommendations.
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START

LITERATURE MATERIAL
REVIEW PREPARATION

TRIAL MIX

WITH SHA WITHOUT SHA

HEAT CURING
(70°c, 80°c, 90°c)

COMPRESSIVE TEST POROSITY TEST

DATA COLLECTION &

ANALYSIS

RESULT, DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

FINISH

Figure 3.1: The flowchart for the whole methodology

3.2 MATERIAL PREPARATION

The constituent materials for geopolymer concrete mortar mainly are fly ash,
fine aggregates, NaOH solution and Na2SiO3 solution. All the materials need to be
prepare and selected according to the specification in order to reduce the defects on the
geopolymer concrete.
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3.2.1 Fly Ash

The fly ash was obtained from Manjung Coal-Based Thermal Power Plant,
Malaysia and categorized as Class F fly ash. The fly ash will be sieve through 150μm
and must pass the sieve in order to be use in mixing. The fly ash then need to be keeps
in a closed container or packet under room temperature to avoid any humidity went into
the ash. Figure 3.2 shows the example of fly ash used in this study.

Figure 3.2: Fly Ash

3.2.2 Fine Aggregates

The fine aggregates use is normal sand and this sand will be sieved with 5mm
sieve and the must pass the sieve before can be mix. The fine aggregates are then put
under air dry condition one day before mixing. Figure 3.3 shows the sieve analysis that
achieve after sieved.

100.00
Percentage of Passing

80.00
60.00 Fine Agg
(%)

40.00 Upper
Limit
20.00 Lower
Limit
0.00
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00
Grain Size (mm)

Figure 3.3: Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates-Sand