Gokce, H. S.Tuyan, M.Ramyar, K.Nehdi, M. L.2024-10-042024-10-0420200899-15611943-5533https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003017http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12403/3177The eco-efficiency and economy of geopolymer composites largely depend on their alkaline activator dosage. In this study, the effect of applying a pre-setting pressure and variation of the aggregate-to-fly ash ratio on the alkaline solution dosage and mechanical strength of fly ash-based geopolymer composites was explored. It is shown that through control of the aggregate-to-ash ratio and application of pre-setting pressure, compressive strength could be increased by 102% and 86% for Class F fly ash-based geopolymer and alkali-activated Class C fly ash-based mixture, respectively. The total alkaline solution consumption could be reduced from 718 to 188 kg/m(3) and from 769 to 262 kg/m3 for Class F fly ash-based geopolymer and alkali-activated Class C fly ash-based mixture, respectively. The proposed method reduced the alkaline solution consumption per compressive strength (6.2 kg.m(-3).MPa-1) by up to 85% compared to that of the reference manually consolidated control geopolymer. The findings demonstrate that fly ash-based geopolymers could be made more sustainable and eco-efficient through tailored production techniques. (C) 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessFly ashGeopolymerAlkaline solutionAggregate-to-ash ratioPre-setting pressureCompressive strengthPore structureArticle32210.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.00030172-s2.0-85076635806Q1WOS:000502814800022Q2