Microwave-Cured Pervious Geopolymer Concrete: Role of Aggregate Gradation

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 117 - 131, 21.07.2025

Adil Gültekin

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.

Keywords

Aggregate gradation , energy saving , microwave curing , pervious geopolymer

Mikrodalga Kürü ile Üretilen Geçirimli Geopolimer Beton: Agrega Gradasyonunun Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, mikrodalga teknolojisi alternatif bir kür yöntemi olarak kullanılmış ve agrega gradasyonunun uçucu kül esaslı geçirimli geopolimer beton özellikleri üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir. Bir tanesinde sadece 8-16 mm elek aralığındaki agrega kullanılırken, diğerlerinde toplam agrega miktarının %25’i, 4-8 mm ve 0.5-4 mm elek aralıklarındaki agregalarla ağırlıkça yer değiştirilerek farklı betonlar üretilmiştir. Karşılaştırma amacıyla, etüv kürüne tabi tutularak üretilen geçirimli geopolimer beton kullanılmıştır. Mikrodalga kürüyle, 700 watt güç seviyesinde 5 dakika kürlemeyle üretilen betonların basınç dayanımlarının, agrega gradasyonuna bağlı olarak 9.7 MPa-12.2 MPa arasında değiştiği ve bu değerlerin, 90°C’de 24 saat etüvde kürlenen serinin basınç dayanımından (8.2 MPa) daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Agrega gradasyonunun küçülmesi, betonların su geçirimliliğini azaltırken; en yüksek su geçirgenliğinin etüv kürü ile üretilen seride elde edildiği belirlenmiştir. Elektron mikroskobu incelemeleri bu durumun iki kür yöntemi ile üretilen betonların hamur yapısındaki farklılıktan kaynaklandığını ortaya koymuştur. Agrega gradasyonunun mikrodalga kürlü betonlar üzerindeki etkisi incelendiğinde, agrega gradasyonunun küçülmesi ile basınç dayanımı ve su geçirgenliğinin azaldığı, Cantabro aşınma kayıplarının ise arttığı görülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuçlar, mikrodalga teknolojisinin geçirimli geopolimer yapı malzemesi üretimi için potansiyel taşıdığını göstermiştir. Mikrodalga kürleme yöntemi, enerji tüketimini %91.4 ve kür süresini %99.7 oranında azaltmıştır.

Keywords

Agrega gradasyonu , enerji tasarrufu , geçirimli geopolimer , mikrodalga kürü

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