ISSN: 1304-7191 | E-ISSN: 1304-7205
Experimental and microstructural investigation of geopolymer concrete
1Department of Civil Engineering, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon, 423601, India; Department of Civil Engineering, Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune, 411044, India
2Department of Civil Engineering, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon, 423601, India
Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 2025; 43(6): 2248-2262 DOI: 10.14744/sigma.2025.1939
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Abstract

Ordinary Portland cement is the main binding agent in ordinary concrete and contributes to about 5 to 7 percent of all carbon dioxide emitted in the world. Also, the dumping of fly ash as a dangerous waste by thermal plants cause serious environmental problems. Geopolymer concrete has become a sustainable building block, using industrial byproducts, and has a promising future as an alternative of concrete. Several parameters were considered in order to determine the performance of Geopolymer concrete with some of them being water-to-binder ratio and the region of sand distribution under constant parameters to maximize the compressive strength. Geopolymer Concrete specimens were subjected to durability tests including rapid chloride penetration test, and acid resistance test. Also, microstructural studies were carried out through the X-ray diffraction. This analysis also gave analytical information regarding the phase and elemental structure of the geopolymer concrete as well as the elements of cesium, sulfur, nitrogen, carbon and cobalt. The findings can be added to the comprehensive interpretation of the material properties and performance of geopolymer concrete that can be used as an environmentally-friendly substitute in the construction industry. This paper has been rigorously researched on the phase composition of Geopolymer concrete material by X-ray diffraction test and the durability aspect by rapid chloride penetration test by use of 3-cells Rapid Chloride Penetration Test apparatus and comparison of experimental results with the conventional concrete.