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Investigation of eco-friendly fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites incorporating recycled coarse aggregates

International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology volume 17, pages 3251–3260 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Structural-grade geopolymer concrete (GPC) containing metakaolin (MK) was assessed by partial inclusion of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) to produce environmental-friendly composites. Polypropylene (PP) fiber was also used at different weight ratios. Mechanical and durability properties of GPCs were then evaluated. The impact of fiber and RCA on the microstructure of geopolymer paste and interfacial transition zone in different parts were evaluated. The results indicated no significant change on compressive strength by the inclusion of PP fiber. However, a remarkable improvement in flexural and splitting tensile strength and drying shrinkage was observed through the inclusion of PP fiber. Load–displacement graphs revealed that PP fiber increases the GPC fracture toughness and improves the maximum load capacity. Although the compressive strength of samples decreased by the RCA inclusion, the strengths achieved were still appropriate for structural applications. From microstructural point of view, it was found that fiber and geopolymer paste have a firm bound, which would contribute to constraining the propagation of potential cracks. It was indicated that the combination of 1% PP fiber and 20% RCA in MK-based GPC leads to an eco-friendly concrete mix with appropriate hardening properties that would contribute to the sustainability in the construction industry.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their deepest appreciation to the laboratory manager of the Dehaghan Branch—Islamic Azad University—that provided us the possibility to complete this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dehaghan, Iran

    B. Behforouz

  2. Young Researchers Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

    V. S. Balkanlou

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    F. Naseri

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    E. Kasehchi

  5. School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    E. Mohseni

  6. Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA

    T. Ozbakkaloglu

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  1. B. Behforouz
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  2. V. S. Balkanlou
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  3. F. Naseri
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  4. E. Kasehchi
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  5. E. Mohseni
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  6. T. Ozbakkaloglu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Mohseni.

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Editorial responsibility: M. Abbaspour.

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Behforouz, B., Balkanlou, V.S., Naseri, F. et al. Investigation of eco-friendly fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites incorporating recycled coarse aggregates. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 17, 3251–3260 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02643-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02643-x

Keywords

  • Drying shrinkage
  • Environmental-friendly concrete
  • Geopolymer composite
  • Microstructure
  • Polypropylene (PP) fibers
  • Recycled coarse aggregate