Strength of RC Beam using Geopolymer Concrete and Adopting Bubble Technology

Abstract

The Bubble Deck technology developed in Europe makes use of high-density polyethylene hollow spheres to replace the ineffective concrete in the centre of the slab, thus decreasing the dead weight and increasing the efficiency of the floor. Concrete is good in compression and hence is more useful in the compression region than in the tension region. The reduction in concrete can be done by replacing the tension zone concrete. Keeping the same idea in mind, an attempt has been made to find out the effectiveness of plastic bubbles by replacing concrete in the tension zone of Ordinary Portland Cement Concrete (OPCC) and Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) beam. Geopolymer Concrete does not form calcium- silicate-hydrates (CSHs) for matrix formation and strength like OPCC but utilizes the polycondensation of silica and alumina precursors to attain structural strength. In this project, M25 concrete mix is used to prepare both OPCC and GPC beams. The trial mix is tested for compressive strength. Flexure test is done is done for 28 days of curing of the beams. This paper presents the results of the experimental investigations carried out to determine and to compare the flexural behaviour of geopolymer concrete (GPC) beams with conventional concrete beams of same grade. The beams were tested under two point monotonic loading. Performance aspects such as load carrying capacity, first crack load, ultimate load, load-deflection behaviour, moment-curvature behaviour, crack width, crack spacing and the modes of failure of both types of beams were studied. The test results showed that the geopolymer concrete exhibits better performance compared to conventional concrete of same grade.