Strength of RC Beams Incorporating Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

This study investigates the flexural behavior of Geopolymer concrete, primarily derived from fly ash, with a focus on the incorporation of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and varying percentages of steel reinforcement. Key aspects explored include compressive strength, crack patterns, and deflection behavior. The findings shed light on critical considerations for optimizing the performance of Geopolymer concrete in practical applications.The addition of GGBS to Geopolymer concrete demonstrates a notable increase in compressive strength, as evidenced by cube test results. However, challenges arise in terms of workability, particularly in mixes with higher GGBS content, where compaction becomes difficult. This underscores the need for further exploration of additives or modifications to enhance workability.Crack patterns and deflection behavior are crucial indicators of structural performance. The study reveals that crack width significantly varies between Geopolymer concrete beams with different compositions. For instance, RGPC beam FA1, featuring 100% fly ash, exhibits a crack width 57.5% higher than RGPC beam FGGB3, incorporating a blend of 50% fly ash and 50% GGBS. This emphasizes the impact of material composition on the structural response.The research identifies RGPC beams with 75% fly ash and 25% GGBS as exhibiting superior overall behavior compared to those relying solely on fly ash. This conclusion underscores the potential benefits of optimizing the blend of fly ash and GGBS to achieve enhanced structural properties in Geopolymer concrete.