Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Jinwoo An

Second Advisor

Chu-Lin Cheng

Third Advisor

Philip Park

Abstract

This research investigates the development of a porous geopolymer cement grout for soil grouting applications, aiming to reduce carbon emissions associated with Portland cement while maintaining critical performance characteristics such as strength and permeability. Class F fly ash and metakaolin were used as aluminosilicate precursors, activated by sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. The addition of hydrogen peroxide served as a foaming agent to introduce porosity by creating a thermodynamic reaction that releases oxygen gas during mixing. Compressive strength, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity were evaluated, with results showing that metakaolin significantly increased compressive strength due to its smaller particle size and higher reactivity. In contrast, increasing hydrogen peroxide content raised porosity but reduced compressive strength by generating gas bubbles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the ongoing formation of hydration products and a growing amorphous structure in the geopolymer matrix, contributing to strength development over time. The study concludes that the geopolymer grout can be optimized for a wide range of soil stabilization applications by adjusting material composition, foaming agent concentration, and activator molarity, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional cement grouts.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Karla Viviana Sierra Flores. https://proquest.com/docview/3240635215

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