## 2 Experimental Program
### Mix Types, Proportions, and Preparation of Specimens for Tests  
A total of 5 mix types were prepared to study the effect of QRD incorporation on QFS-GPC mixes. One mix type is prepared with the OPC to be taken as a reference/control mix. The five QFS-GPC mixes were prepared with varying QRD ratios by weight. The mixed proportions of materials used in this study are shown in Table 5. All the QFS-GPC specimens were prepared with the same molarity of SH, AAS/B ratio, and SS/SH ratio. The labels GPC-A, GPC-B, GPC-C, GPC-D, and GPC-E represent different specimen groups of design mix. In all GPC mixes, FA was kept constant, and SG was replaced by QRD at different ratios, viz., 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% in groups GPC-A, GPC-B, GPC-C, GPC-D, and GPC-E, respectively. The alkaline activating solution (AAS) was prepared by mixing SH and SS in predetermined quantities. The AAS played a significant role in the geopolymerization process. The SH solution of 12M molarity was prepared by mixing NaOH pellets having 98% purity in water. Since an exothermic reaction takes place from the preparation of SH solution, a significant amount of heat was produced during this preparation. The SH solution, therefore, was prepared 24 h before its mixing with SS solution to develop AAS. The SH and SS solutions were mixed at least 30 min before their application. The ratio between SS and SH was kept constants for all the mixes at 1.5. A mechanical mixer of 0.15-m\({}^{3}\) capacity with a speed of 20 rev/min was used for mixing the ingredients. Firstly, all the ingredients including FA, QRD, SG, sand, and CA were dry mixed for 2 min to ensure uniformity of the mixture. Then, AAS, SP, and extra water were added gradually as required and mixing is continued for another 3 min. The freshly mixed concrete was then instantly cast into three differentolds, i.e., cubes (150 mm \(\times\) 150 mm \(\times\) 150 mm) for compressive strength, cylinders (150 mm \(\times\) 300 mm) for splitting tensile strength, and prisms (100 mm \(\times\) 100 mm \(\times\) 500 mm) for flexural strength tests. A total of 360 specimens comprising 180 cubes, 108 cylinders, and 72 prisms were cast. For each testing age, three specimens were cast, and their average value was taken after testing for the results and discussion. All the freshly prepared specimens were kept in a laboratory room under ambient conditions. After 24 h, the samples were de-molded, then QFS-GPC and OPC specimens were kept in the open sunlight and the curing tank respectively until the day of testing. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline  & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & \\ \hline
1 & OPC & 100 & - & - & - & - & 0.35 & - & - & 400 & 400 & - & - & - & - & - & 680 & 751 & 340 & 10 & 140 \\
2 & GPC-A & - & 50 & 50 & 0 & 0.5 & - & 12 & 1.5 & 400 & - & 200 & 200 & 0 & 80 & 120 & 680 & 751 & 340 & 10 & 35 \\
3 & GPC-B & - & 50 & 45 & 5 & 0.5 & - & 12 & 1.5 & 400 & - & 200 & 180 & 20 & 80 & 120 & 680 & 751 & 340 & 12 & 35 \\
4 & GPC-C & - & 50 & 40 & 10 & 0.5 & - & 12 & 1.5 & 400 & - & 200 & 160 & 40 & 80 & 120 & 680 & 751 & 340 & 14 & 35 \\
5 & GPC-D & - & 50 & 35 & 15 & 0.5 & - & 12 & 1.5 & 400 & - & 200 & 140 & 60 & 80 & 120 & 680 & 751 & 340 & 14.5 & 35 \\
6 & GPC-E & - & 50 & 30 & 20 & 0.5 & - & 12 & 1.5 & 400 & - & 200 & 120 & 80 & 80 & 120 & 680 & 751 & 340 & 14.5 & 35 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note: W (Water): B (Binder); C (Cement): OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement); AAL (Alkaline Activator Solution); QRD (Quarry Rock Dust); SG (Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag); FA (Fly Ash); SH (Sodium Hydroxide); SS (Sodium Silicate); M(molarity); SP (Superplasticizers); S (Sand); CA (Coarse Aggregates).  
\end{table} 
Table 5: The composition and proportions of mixes used in the study. The fresh mix property, i.e., workability of OPC and GPC mixes, was investigated by using a slump cone test following the ASTM C143/C143M-20 [38].