Abstract
Geopolymer composites have been around only for 40 years. Nowadays, they are used in buildings and infrastructures of various kinds. A geopolymer’s main benefit is that it is a green material that is partially made by utilizing waste products. The carbon footprint from geopolymer matrix manufacturing is at least two times less than Portland cement manufacturing. Due to the nature of the geopolymer manufacturing process, there is a high risk of shrinkage that could develop unwanted micro-cracks that could reduce strength and create higher creep strains. Because of this concern, a common strategy to reduce long-term strains of the material, such as shrinkage and creep, is to add fiber reinforcement that would constrain crack development in the material. This article aims to determine how various kinds and amounts of different fiber reinforcement affect fly ash-based geopolymer composites’ creep strains in compression. Specimen mixes were produced with 1% steel fibers, 1% polypropylene fibers, 5% polypropylene fibers, and without fibers (plain geopolymer). For creep and shrinkage testing, cylindrical specimens Ø46 × 190 mm were used. The highest creep resistance was observed in 5% polypropylene fiber specimens, followed by 1% polypropylene fiber, plain, and 1% steel fiber specimens. The highest compressive strength was observed in 1% polypropylene fiber specimens, followed by plain specimens, 1% steel fiber specimens, and 5% polypropylene fiber-reinforced specimens. The only fiber-reinforced geopolymer mix with improved long-term properties was observed with 1% polypropylene fiber inclusion, whereas other fiber-introduced mixes showed significant decreases in long-term properties. The geopolymer composite mix with 1% polypropylene fiber reinforcement showed a reduction in creep strains of 31% compared to the plain geopolymer composite.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been increased interest in geopolymer composites
A geopolymer composite (GP/GPC) is a three-dimensional inorganic material with multiple beneficial qualities, such as a significantly reduced carbon footprint caused by its manufacturing, increased resistance to high-temperature exposure, and resistance to various kinds of acid exposure [1,2,3,4]
It is reckoned that the manufacturing of 1 ton of kaolin-based geopolymer cement production generates 0.180 tons of CO2, unlike ordinary Portland cement (OPC)
Summary
There has been increased interest in geopolymer composites. A geopolymer composite (GP/GPC) is a three-dimensional inorganic material with multiple beneficial qualities, such as a significantly reduced carbon footprint caused by its manufacturing, increased resistance to high-temperature exposure, and resistance to various kinds of acid exposure [1,2,3,4]. Concrete, which has a carbon footprint that is up to 6 times greater. The cost margin varies from 7% lower to 39% higher than OPC [5,6]. The creep behavior of cementitious binders significantly affects the durability and serviceability of concrete structures. Most of them have found that, in most cases, the creep of a geopolymer composite is less than OPC [7,8,9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
