Enhancing the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete

Cement production causes approximately 5% of the global annual carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions. The production of one ton of Portland cement leads to the emission of 1.1 tons of CO2,vapors, dust and other harmful gases. Recently, cement replacement by eco-friendly and sustainable concrete materials in building construction, such as Geopolymer Concrete (GPC), has been increasingly used. The GPC is a “new” construction material produced through the activation of fly ash in alkaline solution. Past research has focused on parametric studies and the mechanical properties of normal and lightweight GPC and mortars. To overcome the brittleness with the low tensile strength of GPC, the present investigation focuses on the mechanical performance of steel-fiber reinforced GPC. The mechanical properties compressive and splitting tensile strengths, flexural strength, and elastic modulus were examined using two hundred forty GPC samples. The steel fibers were added at different volume fraction ratios. A total of twelve geopolymer concrete mixes were prepared with varying SH molar concentrations and fiber volume fractions. The experimental results showed that adding steel fiber results in superior improvement of the flexural strength.