Application of Taguchi Method in Geopolymer Concrete

Portland cement which is main binder for these concrete mix design produces higher amount of CO2 which is poisonous to the environment but geopolymer concrete reduces emission of carbon dioxide by 80-90%. Geopolymer is a alkali-activated cementitious system that can be used to substitute Portland cement in construction industry. Mixture of NaOH and Na2SiO3 used as alkaline activator solution. GGBS is used as the base material in the study owing to its capacity to harden under ambient curing condition. The mix design procedure adopted for Geopolymer concrete is similar to Indian Standard (IS 10262-2009). The main factors affecting the properties of geopolymer concrete are; ratio of GGBS(a binding material), ratio of NaOH and Na2SiO3 and Molarity of NaOH. An effort has been made in this investigation to optimize these factors. Taguchi method (TM) is used in this book to determine suitable mixtures of components of GGBS geopolymer concrete to obtain maximum strength, maintain water absorption and good workability.