Performance evaluation and sustainability analysis of geopolymer concrete developed with ground granulated blast furnace slag and sugarcane bagasse ash

This experimental work aims to determine the workability, strength and sustainability aspects of geopolymer concrete developed with GGBS and SCBA in five different proportions of 100-0%, 95 − 5%, 90 − 10%, 85 − 15% and 80 − 20%. 8 M NaOH concentration and Na2SiO3 solutions are used as an alkaline activator in mixes developed. Na2SiO3 to NaOH ratio of 2.5 and 0.5 alkaline liquid to binder ratio is employed in this study to develop ambient cured geopolymer concrete. The results show that the standard consistency and FST of geopolymer paste increases with an increase in the SCBA content of mixes developed. Cs, Sts and Fs decreased with an increase in the content of SCBA in geopolymer concrete mixes. The 28 days Cs of geopolymer concrete developed under ambient cured condition varied from 63.56 to 39.59 MPa. Regression analysis was performed to find the correlation between Sts and Fs to Cs. This study aims to outline a unique technique of utilizing an agro industrial waste by product i.e., sugarcane bagasse ash which in turn reduces disposal problem to some extent. According to the test findings, Sugarcane bagasse ash up to 20% can be used as precursor to develop sustainable geopolymer concrete. Due to the high cost of chemicals and river sand the cost of geopolymer concrete developed is slightly higher than normal concrete. Also, as the percentage of SCBA increase in the geopolymer concrete the demand for energy is reduced. Additionally, incorporation of sugarcane bagasse ash will also reduce disposal problems and reduces CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.