A review on structural performance of geopolymer beam and geopolymer for strengthening the beam

Abstract

Geopolymer composites are emerging sustainable technology in the construction industry. Agro and industrial wastes can convert into useful construction material using geopolymer technology. Without using single gram of cement, geopolymer concrete can achieve superior characters as compared to normal concrete. A number of studies has been conducted on mix proportion, workability, durability, strength parameters of geopolymer concrete. But very few research studies are conducted on the geopolymer material as strengthening material. A critical review on geopolymer beam structural performance and geopolymer as a strengthening material is presented in this article. First part of the article cover the structural performance of geopolymer concrete beam. Another half cover the geopolymer material performance as a strengthening material.Structural performance of geopolymer beam has same manner as ordinary portland cement concrete beams. Failure patterns, bond strength, flexural strength, shear strength studies of the geopolymer beams by different researchers shows the geopolymer beam behavior. Compare to ordinary portland cement concrete beam, geopolymer beam shows good load resistance characters. While using geopolymer as a strengthening material of beam, the beam capacity can be increased efficiently. Textile reinforced geopolymer concrete, fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete, steel reinforced geopolymer concrete etc. are used as strengthening material for geopolymer and Ordinary Portland cement beam. From the previous studies it is clear that geopolymer material shows a promising character as a strengthening material for beams. Geopolymer material can be used as a structural beam as well as strengthening material for beam using the provisions of standard codes. More research studies in the area of geopolymer as a strength enhancement material required.