Abstract:
This research investigated the development of low-thermal conductivity wall from polyvinyl alcohol and cellular lightweight fly ash geopolymer for energy saving building. The dominant factors studied were sand to fly ash (FA) ratio of 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1, sodium silicate solution (Na2SiO3) to sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) ratio of 80:20, 70:30, and 50:50, sodium hydroxide solution concentration of 5 M, liquid alkaline activator (L) content to FA ratio of 0.60, foam content of 0, 1, 2, and 3 % by weight of binder and curing time of 7 and 28. Test results show that the increased of foam content results in the decrease in dry density of lightweight cellular fly ash geopolymer because of increase void in sample. The PVA concentrations and Fc had an effect on the unit weights of the CLFAG reinforced with PVA specimens. The lowest unit weight of the specimens was 10.10 kN/m3 at a PVA concentration of 20% and Fc of 2%. The thermal conductivity of CLFAG reinforced with PVA specimens decreased as unit weight decreased because porosity in specimen resulted from form content which caused decrease in unit weight of specimens.