Fatigue and fracture behaviour of geopolymer concrete

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete (GCC) is an innovative composite which binds steel fiber, coarse aggregatesand any non-reactive materials together with a Geopolymer mass. The binding of the materials is a crucial stage in the development of ecologically sound concrete. In fact, in order to reduce CO2 emissions, which is prevalent in the cement industry, it also utilizes waste. In the present study, review has been carried out on the fatigue and fracture behaviour of the mortar and geopolymer concrete. Researchers have used dynamically cycled tensile tests, to determine the fatigue behaviour of GCC reinforced with steel fibre and compared to conventional Portland concrete (OPCC). The typical GCC fracture toughness was greater than the OPCC which isdetermined by the number of cycles to rupture. Moreover, the fatigue behaviour of Geopolymermortar reinforced with polypropylene fibres was examined for varying block loading and constant loading amplitude. The increment of fracture length due to one loading cycle was conducted using a fatiguetest with-three-point-bending ontheplain Geopolymer mortar,reinforced Geopolymer mortar andGeopolymer matrix. The researchers observed that the fibres slow down the rate of damageand the rate of development of fatigue fracture length while the fatigue life of the reinforced specimens was extended. It was also concluded that certain GCC'sfeatures have a great potential to be used as a substitute forstructural element since they are not only environmentfriendly,furthermore it’shad appropriate mechanical and durability properties.