Experimental and Numerical Studies on Geopolymer Concrete Beams under Cyclic Loading

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete is a novel concrete that uses industrial wastes for its production process. The application of geopolymer concrete in construction is lower due to the dearth of sufficient information about the performance of structural elements with geopolymer concrete. A detailed experimental and numerical analysis was conducted to evaluate the flexural performance of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)-dolomite geopolymer concrete beams under cyclic loading. The effect of fibers on the performance of geopolymer concrete was studied by adding steel fibers in 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% by volume of concrete. The behavior of geopolymer concrete beams, such as load-deflection characteristics, first crack load, ultimate load, ductility index, and crack pattern, were identified and compared with cement concrete beams. The ductility index was improved by 11%–44% with the addition of steel fibers at 0.25%–0.75% by volume of concrete. The cost to ultimate load ratio was 16% more in cement concrete than that of geopolymer concrete.