Strength and Durability Studies of Geo-Polymer Concrete in the presence of Marine Water

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete represents an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to conventional concrete, with the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. Extensive research has explored the strength and durability properties of both geopolymer concrete and control concretes made with ordinary Portland cement. Compared to its traditional counterpart, geopolymer concrete exhibits a substantially lower carbon footprint by utilizing industrial byproducts - namely fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) - as replacements for traditional cement. The present study synthesized geopolymer concrete mixes using Class F fly ash alongside alkaline activators. Following heat-curing at 75°C for 24 hours, the geopolymer concrete had cured, enabling subsequent strength and durability testing to proceed. A comprehensive tests assessed key parameters including compressive strength, sulphate resistance, acid resistance, water absorption, and chloride ion permeability. Test results demonstrated that the inclusion of fly ash and GGBS to synthesize geopolymer concrete significantly enhanced the acid resistance and overall durability compared to control concretes, in addition to reducing the carbon footprint. The outcomes highlight the promise of geopolymer concrete as a sustainable construction material that retains mechanical strength while enhancing durability.