Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method
This study investigates the durability performance of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars composed of Class C fly ash and silica fume when exposed to two aggressive conditions: freeze–thaw cycles and saline immersion. The Taguchi L₁₆ orthogonal array was employed to examine the effects of four key para...
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2025-09-01
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| author | Hasan Altawil |
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| description | This study investigates the durability performance of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars composed of Class C fly ash and silica fume when exposed to two aggressive conditions: freeze–thaw cycles and saline immersion. The Taguchi L₁₆ orthogonal array was employed to examine the effects of four key parameters: sodium hydroxide (NaOH) molarity (10, 12, 14, and 16 M), alkaline activator-to-binder (AA/B) ratio (0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.45), sodium silicate-to-sodium hydroxide (SS/SH) ratio (1.75, 2.0, 2.25, and 2.5), and water-to-geopolymer solids (W/GS) ratio (0.35, 0.45, 0.55, and 0.65). Durability was assessed based on compressive strength retention and mass loss. The results showed that the optimal mix under freeze–thaw cycles (10 M NaOH, W/GS = 0.35, SS/SH = 2.0, AA/B = 0.4) retained 96.39% of its initial strength, while the most resistant mix under saline conditions (10 M NaOH, W/GS = 0.35, SS/SH = 1.75, AA/B = 0.4) exhibited a 78.12% strength gain after NaCl exposure. ANOVA analysis confirmed that W/GS was the most influential factor under freeze–thaw conditions (52.11% contribution), while SS/SH was dominant under saline conditions (39.91%). The incorporation of silica fume improved pore refinement and overall durability in both scenarios. Although SEM/XRD analyses were not conducted, the study provides robust parametric insights into durability optimization using the Taguchi method. These findings support the use of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars as sustainable alternatives in cold and coastal environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4ac2d440a5ab48c293d84ee9e84c6710 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-4ac2d440a5ab48c293d84ee9e84c67102025-08-25T04:14:43ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710683610.1016/j.rineng.2025.106836Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi methodHasan Altawil0Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza, Rimal St, Gaza City, PalestineThis study investigates the durability performance of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars composed of Class C fly ash and silica fume when exposed to two aggressive conditions: freeze–thaw cycles and saline immersion. The Taguchi L₁₆ orthogonal array was employed to examine the effects of four key parameters: sodium hydroxide (NaOH) molarity (10, 12, 14, and 16 M), alkaline activator-to-binder (AA/B) ratio (0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.45), sodium silicate-to-sodium hydroxide (SS/SH) ratio (1.75, 2.0, 2.25, and 2.5), and water-to-geopolymer solids (W/GS) ratio (0.35, 0.45, 0.55, and 0.65). Durability was assessed based on compressive strength retention and mass loss. The results showed that the optimal mix under freeze–thaw cycles (10 M NaOH, W/GS = 0.35, SS/SH = 2.0, AA/B = 0.4) retained 96.39% of its initial strength, while the most resistant mix under saline conditions (10 M NaOH, W/GS = 0.35, SS/SH = 1.75, AA/B = 0.4) exhibited a 78.12% strength gain after NaCl exposure. ANOVA analysis confirmed that W/GS was the most influential factor under freeze–thaw conditions (52.11% contribution), while SS/SH was dominant under saline conditions (39.91%). The incorporation of silica fume improved pore refinement and overall durability in both scenarios. Although SEM/XRD analyses were not conducted, the study provides robust parametric insights into durability optimization using the Taguchi method. These findings support the use of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars as sustainable alternatives in cold and coastal environments.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025029007Geopolymer mortarClass C fly ashTaguchi methodFreeze–thaw resistanceSaline durability |
| spellingShingle | Hasan Altawil Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method Results in Engineering Geopolymer mortar Class C fly ash Taguchi method Freeze–thaw resistance Saline durability |
| title | Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method |
| title_full | Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method |
| title_fullStr | Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method |
| title_short | Influence of saline exposure and freeze-thaw effects on class C fly ash geopolymer mortars using the Taguchi method |
| title_sort | influence of saline exposure and freeze thaw effects on class c fly ash geopolymer mortars using the taguchi method |
| topic | Geopolymer mortar Class C fly ash Taguchi method Freeze–thaw resistance Saline durability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025029007 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hasanaltawil influenceofsalineexposureandfreezethaweffectsonclasscflyashgeopolymermortarsusingthetaguchimethod |