ISSN: 1304-7191 | E-ISSN: 1304-7205
Strength optimization of low-molarity geopolymer mortars with ceramic waste powder
1Department of Civil Engineering, Yıldız Technical University, İstanbul, 34220, Türkiye
2Department of Civil Engineering, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, 40100, Türkiye
3Department of Civil Engineering, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, 34098, Türkiye
4Vocational School, İstanbul Okan University, İstanbul, 34959, Türkiye
Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 2026; 44(5): 3120-3142 DOI: 10.14744/sigma.2026.2147
Full Text PDF

Abstract

This study considers the production and performance of geopolymer mortars made up of 100% waste ceramic powder and 100% granulated blast furnace slag, specific for achieving the structural values through low-molarity activation. Mixtures were prepared using binder contents of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% by weight, activated using sodium hydroxide of 1 M, 2 M, 4 M, and 6 M molarity and sodium silicate/sodium hydroxide content ratio of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.5 and a constant activator/binder ratio of 0.7. Mortars were thermally treated in the range of 60 °C to 100 °C for 48 h and tested using ASTM, ACI, Eurocode, and British Standard tests for compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, direct tensile strength, elasticity modulus, porosity, unit weight, and water absorption. 75% granulated blast furnace slag+25% waste ceramic powder activatable with 6 M sodium hydroxide and 2.5 ratio and heat-treated in 100 °C gave the maximum compressive strength of 58.96 MPa. 50% granulated blast furnace slag+50% waste ceramic powder showed the most balanced mechanical profile having flexural strength of 9.84 MPa, elasticity modulus of 22.56 GPa, a tensile-to-compressive strength ratio of 0.1818 and flexural-to-compressive strength ratio of 0.8029. Curing in 80 °C was optimum in reducing the shrinkage while developing the strength while the heating in 100 °C added up the strength along with slight microcracking. ASTM predictions displayed close correlation to the experiment results while the ACI as well as the Eurocode prediction was less accurate. Multi-criteria decision-making analysis identified the 1.2% polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced series as the most successful having a 24.5% increase in the compressive strength, 77.9% in flexural strength, and lowest porosity value being 20.73% along with water absorption of 10.35%. These results prove that high-strength and durable binders are reliably possible through the low-alkali activation of industrial wastes that not only provide a functional cement replacement in the structural element but also a scalable approach bridging the gap between the material innovation and the pressing need of sustainable construction.