Proportion optimization and performance analysis of ternary solid waste geopolymer grouting material based on the response surface method
Source abstract
Abstract
Subgrade loosening, cavities, and sub-slab voids are common distresses in aging highways, severely affecting structural performance and driving safety. This study addresses the Guigang S511 project in Guangxi, China, by developing an eco-friendly ternary geopolymer grouting material composed of slag powder (SP), fly ash (FA), and red mud (RM). The mix design was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), investigating the effects of sodium silicate concentration, modulus, and RM content on slurry fluidity as well as 7-day and 28-day compressive strengths. Accurate regression models were developed to predict material performance. Results showed that the interaction between sodium silicate concentration and modulus had the greatest influence on slurry fluidity and 28-day compressive strength, whereas the 7-day strength was mainly affected by the interaction between sodium silicate concentration and RM content. The optimal mix design was identified as a sodium silicate concentration of 1.0 mol·L⁻¹ , modulus of 1.57, and RM content of 15 %. Microstructural analysis confirmed that, under this optimized formulation, all three industrial wastes actively participated in the geopolymerization process, forming laumontite and calcium-(sodium) aluminosilicate hydrate C-(N)-A-S-H gels, thereby ensuring excellent long-term mechanical performance. The proposed material not only provides an effective solution for subgrade remediation in the S511 project but also demonstrates a sustainable pathway for the high-value utilization of industrial solid wastes in road engineering.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Grouting, Rheology, and Soil Mechanics · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (44)
Show source-provided references
1. Safety monitoring of transportation infrastructure foundation: intelligent recognition of subgrade distresses based on B-Scan GPR images10.1109/TITS.2022.3224769 ↗
2. Research on distresses detection, evaluation and maintenance decision-making for highway pavement in reconstruction and expansion project
3. Engineering assessment of reinforced earth wall and vehicular underpass sections in a six-lane highway: analysis, causes, and remedial measures
4. Effect of source materials, additives on the mechanical properties and durability of Fly ash and Fly ash-slag geopolymer mortar: a review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122443 ↗
5. Synergistic enhancement mechanism of calcium carbide residue desulfurization gypsum-steel slag modified Fly ash geopolymer
6. Feasibility study on grouting material prepared from red mud and metallurgical wastewater based on synergistic theory10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124358 ↗
7. Utilization of red mud in road base and subgrade materials: a review10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.10.031 ↗
8. Effect of ultrafine red mud on the workability and microstructure of blast furnace slag-red mud based geopolymeric grouts10.1016/j.powtec.2021.07.046 ↗
9. Modification of phase evolution in alkali-activated blast furnace slag by the incorporation of Fly ash10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2013.09.006 ↗
10. Orthogonal experimental study on the factors affecting the mechanical properties of alkali-activated slag materials10.3390/ma15248795 ↗
11. Physico-chemical, mechanical, microstructure and durability characteristics of alkali activated Egyptian slag10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.026 ↗
12. Experimental research on the properties and formulation of Fly ash based geopolymer grouting material10.3390/buildings12050503 ↗
13. Workability, autogenous shrinkage and microstructure of alkali-activated slag/Fly ash slurries: effect of precursor composition and sodium silicate modulus
14. Enrichment and separation of iron minerals in gibbsitic bauxite residue based on reductive bayer digestion10.1016/S1003-6326(20)65355-9 ↗
15. Properties of red mud blended with magnesium phosphate cement paste: feasibility of grouting material preparation10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119704 ↗
16. Performance investigation of geopolymer grouting material with varied mix proportions10.3390/su142013046 ↗
17. Compression performance analysis of multi-scale modified concrete based on response surface method
18. Study on betel nut fiber enhancing water stability of asphalt mixture based on response surface method
19. Shanghai Housing and Urban-Rural Development Management Commission, Technical specification for grouting reinforcement of road DG/TJ08-2240-2017, Tongji University Press, Shanghai, 2017.
20. Optimization of gypsum and slag contents in blended cement containing slag10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103674 ↗
21. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People‘s Republic of China. Cementitious grout JC/T 986-2018, China Building Materials Press, Beijing.2018.
22. The rheological behavior of the non-Newtonian thixotropic colloidal silica gels from sodium silicate10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.124994 ↗
23. Early reactivity of sodium silicate-activated slag pastes and its impact on rheological properties10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106302 ↗
24. Effect of sodium-silicate activated slag at different silicate modulus on the strength and microstructural properties of full and coarse sulphidic tailings paste backfill10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.105 ↗
25. State Administration for Market Regulation, Standardization Administration of China, Test method of cement mortar strength (ISO method) GB/T 17671-2021, China Standard Press, Beijing, 2021.
26. Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China, Technical code for application of cementitious grout GB/T 50448-2015, China Architecture & Building Press, Beijing, 2015.
27. Performance of metakaolin/slag-based geopolymer concrete made with recycled fine and coarse aggregates
28. Early performance and bonding mechanism of metakaolin (MK)- ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) based geopolymer road repair mortar10.1080/10298436.2023.2252156 ↗
29. Conversion of local industrial wastes into greener cement through geopolymer technology: a case study of high-magnesium nickel slag10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.09.147 ↗
30. Enhancing performance of mining phenolic filling materials by tailoring closed cell morphology with Fly ash geopolymer10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.06.008 ↗
31. Effect of sodium alginate on the mechanical properties and microstructure of Metakaolin-Based geopolymers10.1007/s11595-025-3106-8 ↗
32. Clayey soil stabilization using alkali-activated volcanic ash and slag10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.08.012 ↗
33. Utilization of red mud and coal gangue for underground backfill material: hydration and environmental characteristics10.1007/s12613-025-3144-4 ↗
34. Optimization design and characterization of slag cementitious composites containing carbide slag and desulfurized gypsum based on response surface methodology
35. Effect of change in the silica modulus of sodium silicate solution on the microstructure of Fly ash geopolymers
36. Workability, autogenous shrinkage and microstructure of alkali-activated slag/Fly ash slurries: effect of precursor composition and sodium silicate modulus
37. Development and sustainability of industrial waste-based red mud hybrid composites10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.131 ↗
38. Effect of nano-silica on strength and durability of Fly ash based geopolymer mortar10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.093 ↗
39. On the mechanisms for improved strengths of carbon nanofiber-enriched mortars10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106178 ↗
40. Micro-characterizations and geopolymerization mechanism of ternary cementless composite with reactive ultra-fine Fly ash, red mud and recycled powder10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128091 ↗
41. Pacheco-Torgal · 2014
42. Formulation and properties of a newly developed powder geopolymer grouting material10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120304 ↗
43. National Standardization Administration of the People‘s Republic of China. Common Portland Cement GB 175-2023, China Standard Press, Beijing.2023.
44. Department of Transport of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Technical guidelines for grouting reinforcement of pavement base DBJT45/T 030-2021. 2021.