Dynamic Behaviors of Fly Ash-Ground-Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag-High-Magnesium Nickel Slag-Based Geopolymer Paste When Subjected to Impact Compressive Loadings

Reducing the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere is a challenge due to rapid industrial development, particularly in developing countries. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is the second-most-consumed material just after water. It is estimated that the production of one ton OPC generates approximate to 0.87 ton CO2. Geopolymers are considered as the sustainable materials that possess similar or even better mechanical properties than OPC. Geopolymers are made from by-products such as fly ash, furnace slag, and China clay. This article reports an experimental study on the dynamic mechanical behaviors of fly ash-ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-high-magnesium nickel slag (FA-GGBS-HMNS)-based geopolymers when subjected to impact loading. The impact tests are performed using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar device. The test results show that both the dynamic compressive strength and ultimate strain of the FA-GGBS-HMNS-based geopolymer paste increase with increased strain rate. The failure modes are also found to be different in the specimens under different impact speeds.