The Comparison of Bond Strength between Geopolymer Concrete and OPC Concrete for Plain Reinforcing Bars

This paper describes the research on bond behavior of plain reinforcing bars in geopolymer and normal concrete. The geopolymer concrete in this research was made of class F fly ash taken from Tanjung Jati Electric Steam Power Plant (PLTU) with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and Sodium Silicate (Na2SiO3) as alkaline activator, added in the mixture. The effect of bar size was studied by varying the bar diameter in range 10 mm to 19 mm. Each bar was casted in the center of concrete blocks made of geopolymer as well as normal concrete. Pull-out tests were carried out to the specimens that have reached 28 days of age. The test results show that the bond behavior of geopolymer concrete differs substantially from normal concrete, where geopolymer concrete has a higher bond strength when compared to normal concrete with identical concrete strengths