What question did this study set out to answer?

May 11, 2026Case Studies in Construction Materials0 citationsOpen Access

Preparation of eco-friendly geopolymer anchor grouting material using water-quenched iron slag: performance, multi-objective optimization, and engineering applicability

SZShimin ZhuLudong University ZZZhuangwei ZhangNorth University of China CCChangfu ChenHunan University

Key Points

This research aims to develop an eco-friendly geopolymer anchor grouting material using water-quenched iron slag and evaluate its performance.
Produced geopolymer using water-quenched iron slag and conducted 25 groups of tests based on orthogonal experiment theory.
Analyzed macroscopic performance (workability, compressive strength) and microstructural morphology using SEM, EDS, XRD, and MIP.
Developed a grey wolf optimization algorithm for multi-objective optimization of the geopolymer mix proportions.
Geopolymer grouting material shows comparable to slightly higher shear strength than traditional cement grouting in two soil types.
Response surface models successfully predicted workability and mechanical properties of the geopolymer material.
The PEGWO algorithm outperformed traditional algorithms in optimizing cost, carbon emissions, and strength.

Abstract

Cement and resin are currently the most prevalent grouting materials for ground anchors. However, their utilizations are accompanied by significant drawbacks, including high energy consumption and environmental pollution. By contrast, geopolymer possesses sufficient potential to serve as an alternative. In this study, water-quenched iron slag (WIS) was utilized to produce geopolymer anchor grouting material. Twenty-five groups of tests were designed through orthogonal experiment theory. Macroscopic performances of the geopolymer grouting material were tested and discussed, including workability (consistency and setting time) and mechanical properties (compressive strength and elastic modulus) at curing ages of 3d, 7d, and 28d. Microstructural morphology and reactive mechanism were analyzed based on the results of SEM, EDS, XRD, and MIP. Response surface models were developed to predict the macroscopic performances. A population-evolved grey wolf optimization (PEGWO) algorithm was proposed, the convergence speed, stability, and global optimization capability of which are superior to those of GWO and PSO algorithms. The PEGWO algorithm was used to develop a multi-objective (cost, carbon emission, and strength) optimization method for determining the best proportion of the geopolymer grouting material. A series of element-scale pullout tests was conducted for the geopolymer and cement grouted anchors embedded in two types of soils. The shear strength over the geopolymer grout-soil interface is approximately equivalent to that of the cement grout-soil interface, and even slightly superior, which verifies the engineering applicability of the developed WIS-based geopolymer anchor grouting material. • An eco-friendly geopolymer anchor grouting material was produced using waste water-quenched iron slag. • Macroscopic performance and microstructural morphology of the geopolymer grouting material were systematically investigated. • Response surface models were proposed for predicting the workability and mechanical properties of the geopolymer grouting material. • PEGWO algorithm were developed for the multi-objective (cost, CO 2 emission, and strength) intelligent optimization of mix proportion. • Engineering applicability of the geopolymer grouting material was assessed through a series of element-scale pullout tests.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper