Material Design and Durability Characterization of “Non-Brittle” Geopolymer

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers that have resulted in wide scientific interest and broad development of applications. They possess intriguing characteristics that bridge polymer science and ceramics. Many inexpensive earth-abundant minerals and industrial wastes can form geopolymers; this diversity enables a large palette of suitable ingredients to be selected to achieve specific properties, offering a variety of possibilities for material design. The microstructure of fully reacted K-poly(sialate-siloxo) type geopolymer is nanoporous and sponge-like, consisting of nanoparticulates ranging from 5-15 nm separated by nanopores on the order of 3 to 10 nm. The nanoparticulates features dimensions suggesting a macromolecule of definite size. Such characteristic microstructure of geopolymers leads to their unique chemical and mechanical features. While geopolymers provide great potential for applications in many fields, their long-term performance remains unaddressed. Also, the inherent brittleness of geopolymers limits their durability; inevitable cracking can be the result of one or a combination of mechanical and environmental factors. In this thesis, we aim at designing a new category of geopolymers with a “non-brittle” behavior, and understanding the mechanical and chemical responses of geopolymer to various environmental conditions including shrinkage, elevated temperature, water permeation, and corrosion of embedded steel.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Houston

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Wu, Yun-Chen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Li, Mo

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Hu, Yandi
• Agrawal, Ashutosh

• Geopolymer
• Strain-hardening
• Durability

Statement dc:rights

• The author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10657/2840

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uh-ir.tdl.org:10657/2840