Effect of Particle Size on Properties of Sidoarjo Mud-Based Geopolymer

Abstract

The eruption of Sidoarjo mud volcano that has been taken place since 2006 had caused significant damage to the local social environment, and until now there is no immediate solution that can be offered. Utilization of the Sidoarjo mud as construction material recently has gained some advancement by calcination of the mud, that make the previously inert material to become more reactive and to be more viable for its use as cement replacement or geopolymer precursor. This paper reports an on-going study to utilize the Sidoarjo mud as precursor of geopolymer by investigating the influence of particle size on the reactivity of the calcined Sidoarjo mud. Furthermore, durability properties of Sidoarjo mud-based geopolymer was also studied. The results show that making finer the mud particles by milling in longer period, using a rod-mill drum for 8 hours, can increase the reactivity of the mud. Compressive strength of geopolymer mortar can increase up to 155% when compared to the ones based on milling time of only 2 hours. Durability properties of sulphate acid resistance and chloride penetration are comparable to fly ash-based geopolymer, while the shrinkage measurement showing higher value.