Abstract:
The ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is most widely utilized construction materials which
is main raw material for concrete and block production. However, its production consumes
too much energy and release greenhouse gas (CO2). Geopolymers are the best cement
substitute construction material alternative. Aluminosilicate and alkali solution are raw
materials of Geopolymers. Fly ash is the most widely known aluminosilicate compounds,
which is industrial waste that pollute the environment cause health problems in human
respiratory organ, pollute water bodies and destroy aquatic life. However, which can be
used as the raw materials in geopolymer production. This study investigates the effect of
controlling variables on the compressive, tensile strengths, water absorption and
mechanical strength per density of sisal fiber Reinforced geopolymer Composites materials
(SFRGCM). A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with box Behnken design (BBD)
was employed to characterize and obtain the significance level of the selected variables
and the points at which optimum values achieved. Screened controlling variables and their
upper and lower limits were, sisal fiber volume percentage (5% to 15%), sisal fiber length
(5mm to 35mm) and alkali concentration (8M to 16 M). The results proved that best
compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and water absorption obtained was 21.5
Mpa, 4.6 Mpa and 5.325%. The point at which the result achieved were sisal fiber volume
percentage, sisal fiber length and alkali concentration of (5%, 20mm and 8M), (15%, 35mm
and 12M) and (5%, 20mm and 8M) respectively. the best results of compressive strength
per density and splitting tensile strength per density of SFRGCC was 23.8 Mpa/(g/cm
3
)
and 4.9 Mpa/(g/cm
3
) respectively. The density at the point was 0.9035 g/cm
3
and the
density at the point was 0.941 g/cm
3
respectively.
Key words: Fly Ash, Geopolymer, Alkali Activators, Sisal Fiber, Alkali Concentration,
Mechanical properties