Flexural behavior evaluation of repaired high strength geopolymer concrete

Abstract

CO2 is released during the manufacture of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The utilization of wastes and byproducts in concrete can lead to new sustainable constructions. To replace OPC in high-strength Portland cement concrete (HSPC), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is utilized. GGBS is a by-product of the blast furnace used for iron manufacturing. It has a high silicate gel content and is used to produce good concrete. This paper investigates the load-deformation behavior of high-strength reinforced geopolymer concrete (HSGC) beams that were tested in flexure after being repaired. Six beams were placed using HSGC and HSPC. The original beams were tested, and deflections were measured. Specimens were tested under static stresses, then repaired with epoxy resin injection and re-tested for flexural strength. For both the original and repaired beams, load versus deflection graphs were recorded. Maximum deflection, ultimate load, cracking load, and crack pattern were all determined. The findings suggest that the restored HSGC beams' strength is equivalent to that of the original beams. The strength of the beam has been recovered. The cracks do not re-open after retesting, instead, new nearby cracks developed. The repaired beams showed superior flexural behavior and greater ductility than the original beams.