Factors affecting the structural performance of geopolymer concrete beam composites

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a potentially sustainable building material having acceptable fresh, mechanical, and durable characteristics still, it has not attained global acceptance due to assorted issues in its standardizations. Ignorance of various factors affecting the structural performance of GPC beam composites is the prime reason for the sparse availability of credible research studies on GPC structural behavior. The current study focuses on identifying the influencing factors under five controlling structural GPC characteristics governing the structural response and discusses their impact on the overall structural behavior. Eighteen factors have been identified under five structural characteristics: geometric characteristics, GPC characteristics, embedded reinforcement characteristics, external reinforcement characteristics, and bond characteristics. An overview of the long-term durability study on GPC structures is included. A mapping between these factors and the overall structural responses is set up highlighting the critical influencing factors under each category and insisting through research in the established gap thus extracted. The limitations related to the structural application of GPC are also discussed. The elaborative review and critical discussions on each factor will bestow fresh insight.