Geopolymer Concrete

The term 'Geopolymer' was coined by Davidovits in 1978. Geopolymer is an inorganic alumino-silicate polymer, synthesized from predominantly silicon and aluminium material such as fly ash. Alkaline solutions are used, to induce the silicon and aluminium atoms; in the source materials (fly ash), to dissolve to form gel. The polymerisation process may be assisted by applied heat followed by drying. The Geopolymer gel binds the loose coarse and fine aggregates to form geopolymer concrete.
Geopolymer gel replaces the C-S-H gel in cement concrete. Chemical reaction period is substantially fast and the required curing period may be within 24 to 48 hours.
Geopolymer concrete usually requires heat curing (about 40°C-90°C) to speed up the chemical reaction (polymerization).