STRENGTH, DURABILITY AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE: A REVIEW

An overview of emerging advances in geopolymer concrete and its mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties are presented. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is an eco-friendly material used in construction as a good substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete. This concrete has excellent durability properties, better shrinkage behavior, and good resistance to fire attacks. The present review discusses geopolymers formed by the alkaline activation of alumino-silicates and material selection with their properties. Performance of geopolymer concrete made with different pozzolanic materials such as rice husk ash (RHA), fly ash, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) are presented along with the resistance of concrete and mortar to sulphate attack, its acidic nature, and drying shrinkage. Properties of concrete and mortar due to fresh and hardened states are briefly outlined, along with their durability properties. The review on microstructural analysis was also performed to study morphology and elements present in it. Findings reported for geopolymers are compared with ordinary Portland cement to show the effective usage of GPC in construction applications. © 2022, Associated Cement Companies Ltd.. All rights reserved.