Comparative Studies On Geopolymer Concrete And Conventional Concrete Columns Under Axial Compression

Abstract

Concrete Remains One Of The Most Extensively Used Materials In Construction, With Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) As Its Principal Binder. However, OPC Manufacturing Is Energy-intensive And A Major Contributor To Global CO₂ Emissions. In Response To These Environmental Challenges, Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) Has Emerged As A Sustainable Alternative, Utilizing Industrial By-products Such As Fly Ash And Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), Activated By Alkaline Solutions. GPC Not Only Reduces The Carbon Footprint But Also Delivers Mechanical Performance That Is Comparable To Or Exceeds That Of Conventional OPC Concrete. This Study Investigates The Axial Compressive Behavior Of M25 Grade OPC Concrete And GPC Activated With An 8M Alkaline Solution, Both With And Without The Addition Of 0.03% Glass Fiber (GF) By Volume Of Concrete. Four Column Specimens Measuring 1300 × 225 × 150 Mm Were Cast And Tested Under Axial Loading: C-1 (M25), C-2 (M25 + GF), C-3 (GPC–8M), And C-4 (GPC–8M + GF). Among These, C-4 (GPC–8M + GF) Exhibited The Highest Ultimate Load Capacity Of 680.84 KN, Which Is 6.11% Greater Than The Control Specimen (C-1). The Inclusion Of Glass Fibers Resulted In A 4.59% Increase In 28-day Compressive Strength And A 10.75% Improvement In Flexural Strength. Additionally, C-4 Recorded The Highest Values For Young’s Modulus (29,432.15 N/mm²), Stress (20.17 N/mm²), And Microstrain (685.41), Indicating Improved Stiffness And Ductility. These Findings Demonstrate That Incorporating Glass Fibers Into GPC Significantly Enhances Its Load-bearing Capacity And Overall Mechanical Performance. Therefore, Glass Fiber-reinforced GPC Presents A Durable And Eco-friendly Alternative To Conventional OPC Concrete For Structural Column Applications Under Axial Compression.

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