@article{article_1672641, title={Microwave-Cured Pervious Geopolymer Concrete: Role of Aggregate Gradation}, journal={Karaelmas Fen ve Mühendislik Dergisi}, volume={15}, pages={117–131}, year={2025}, DOI={10.7212/karaelmasfen.1672641}, author={Gültekin, Adil}, keywords={Aggregate gradation, energy saving, microwave curing, pervious geopolymer}, abstract={In this study, microwave technology was used as an alternative curing method, and the effect of aggregate gradation on the properties of fly ash-based pervious geopolymer concrete (PGC) were examined. Microwave-cured PGCs were produced, with one mixture containing only coarse aggregates in the 8-16 mm size range, while the others incorporated partial aggregate replacements-25% of the total aggregate content with finer aggregates in the 4-8 mm and 0.5-4 mm size ranges. For the sake of comparison, oven-cured PGC was also produced. It was determined that the compressive strength of 5 minutes microwave-cured concretes at 700-watt power level varied between 9.7 MPa-12.2 MPa, depending on the aggregate gradation, and these values were higher than the compressive strength (8.2 MPa) of the oven-cured concrete produced at 90°C for 24 hours. The water permeability of microwave-cured concretes decreased with the substitution of smaller-sized aggregate, and the mixture with the highest permeability was the oven-cured one due to the difference in paste structure between oven and microwave curing proven by scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations. When the effect of aggregate gradation was examined in concretes produced with microwave curing, it was observed that a reduction in aggregate gradation resulted in decreased compressive strength and water permeability, accompanied by an increase in Cantabro abrasion losses. The results revealed that microwave technology has the potential for the production of pervious geopolymer building materials. Microwave technology reduced energy consumption and curing time by 91.4% and 99.7%, respectively.}, number={2}, publisher={Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University}