Investigation of mechanical and micro structural properties of geopolymer concrete blended by dredged marine sand and manufactured sand under ambient curing conditions

Geopolymers, an unique class of inorganic polymers are new promising binders which are manufactured by the activation of a solid state alumina‐silicate with a highly alkaline activating solution using thermal drive. In the recent past, geopolymer binders have been found to be the best alternate to cement binders owing to its environmental sustainability (greener materials lead to cleaner environment). Further, its performance in aggressive environment is promising and these binders could become a replacement for cement concrete in aggressive situation where cement concrete turns to be vulnerable. In this paper, an attempt is made to investigate the mechanical and micro structural properties of geopolymer concrete produced using alternative fine aggregates namely dredged marine sand (DMS) and manufactured sand (M‐Sand) in the place of conventional scarce fine aggregate (river sand) under ambient curing conditions. All the tests namely compression, split tensile, flexural and micro structural evaluation have been performed by varying the percentage of DMS and M‐Sand. The experimental investigation followed by micro structural evaluation clearly indicate that DMS can very well be substituted in the place of scarce fine aggregate (river sand) under ambient curing conditions.