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Cited by 23Concrete and Cement Materials ResearchInnovative concrete reinforcement materialsMicrobial Applications in Construction Materials

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Performance of Sustainable Geopolymer Concrete Made of Different Alkaline Activators

Open access
Hamed, Yasmin R., Keshta, Mostafa M., Elshikh, Mohamed M. Yousry, Elshami, Ahmed A., Matthana, Mohamed H. S., Youssf, Osama·2025·Infrastructures
DOI 10.3390/infrastructures10020041
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Abstract

A major challenge in modern infrastructure is the excessive reliance on traditional Portland cement, which contributes significantly to environmental degradation and durability issues. This study addresses the need for sustainable and durable construction materials by investigating geopolymer concrete as an eco-friendly alternative, optimizing its mechanical and microstructural properties to enhance long-term performance in infrastructure applications. The performance of sustainable geopolymer concrete made with silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) and utilizing different alkaline activators (AAs) was examined in this study. The alkaline activators included sodium hydroxide (SH), potassium hydroxide (PH), and sodium silicate (SS) solutions. A total of twelve geopolymer concrete mixes were prepared and evaluated. The study considered several variables, including SF content (ranging from 10% to 100%), type of AA (SH+SS or PH+SS), AA concentration, and the AA to cementitious materials (AA/C) ratio. Workability, compressive strength, bending strength, tensile strength, and water absorption were among the mechanical characteristics of the concrete that were assessed, both in fresh and hardened states of the proposed concrete. The geopolymer concrete microstructure was also examined by performing X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations on a few chosen mixes. The findings showed that when SF content was 10%, 20%, 30%, and 100% as a replacement of FA, the concrete slump rose by 10%, 15%, 15%, and 120%, respectively. However, the compressive strength was increased only with up to 20% SF. Geopolymer concrete with PH as the alkaline activator exhibited up to 13% lower compressive strength compared to SH. The geopolymer concrete microstructure was influenced by the presence of SF, leading to the formation of ettringite. Some FA particles that remained unreacted or were only partially reacted, along with voids, were observed. The findings from this study contribute to the development of sustainable geopolymer concrete, offering a promising solution for green structural applications.

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Crossref · 10.3390/infrastructures10020041

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Figures

Figure 1 Advantages of using geopolymer concrete in the concrete industry. Figure 1. Advantages of using geopolymer concrete in the concrete industry.
Figure 1 Advantages of using geopolymer concrete in the concrete industry. Figure 1. Advantages of using geopolymer concrete in the concrete industry.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 2 Mixes and variables of the study. Figure 2. Mixes and variables of the study.
Figure 2 Mixes and variables of the study. Figure 2. Mixes and variables of the study.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 3 Oven curing of geopolymer concrete specimens. Figure 3. Oven curing of geopolymer concrete specimens.
Figure 3 Oven curing of geopolymer concrete specimens. Figure 3. Oven curing of geopolymer concrete specimens.CC-BY · From the PDF
Image 4
CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 5 Cont.
Figure 5 Cont.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 5 Effects of different variables on geopolymer concrete compressive strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio. Figure 5. Effects of different variables on geopolymer concrete compressive strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio.
Figure 5 Effects of different variables on geopolymer concrete compressive strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio. Figure 5. Effects of different variables on geopolymer concrete compressive strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 6 Cont.
Figure 6 Cont.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 6 Effects of different variable on geopolymer concrete tensile strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio. Figure 6. Effects of different variable on geopolymer concrete tensile strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio.
Figure 6 Effects of different variable on geopolymer concrete tensile strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio. Figure 6. Effects of different variable on geopolymer concrete tensile strength: ( a ) SF dosage, ( b ) Activator concentration, and ( c ) Activator/cementitious materials ratio.CC-BY · From the PDF
Image 9
CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 8 Water absorption of geopolymer concrete. Figure 8. Water absorption of geopolymer concrete.
Figure 8 Water absorption of geopolymer concrete. Figure 8. Water absorption of geopolymer concrete.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 9 SEM images of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA). AFT: Etrringite, ASG: Alumino-silicate Gel. Figure 9. SEM images of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA). AFT: Etrringite, ASG: Alumino-silicate Gel.
Figure 9 SEM images of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA). AFT: Etrringite, ASG: Alumino-silicate Gel. Figure 9. SEM images of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA). AFT: Etrringite, ASG: Alumino-silicate Gel.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 10 EDX analysis of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA). Figure 10. EDX analysis of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA).
Figure 10 EDX analysis of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA). Figure 10. EDX analysis of mixes: ( A ) G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and ( B ) G5 (100% SF-0% FA).CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 11 Figure 11. XRD spectra of mixes G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and G5 (100% SF-0% FA).
Figure 11 Figure 11. XRD spectra of mixes G1 (0% SF-100% FA), and G5 (100% SF-0% FA).CC-BY · From the PDF

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Niu, 2022, Experimental Research on the Influence of Magnetized Water on the Compressive Strength of Concrete, Int. Core J. Eng., 8, 176

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Metadata

Authors
Hamed, Y. R., Keshta, M. M., Elshikh, M. M. Y., Elshami, A. A., Matthana, M. H. S., & Youssf, O.
Affiliations
  • Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
  • Civil Engineering Department, Higher Institute for Engineering and Technology, Manzala 35642, Egypt
  • Mansoura University (EG)
  • Housing and Building National Research Center (EG)
Corresponding author
Youssf, Osama
ORCID
Venue
Infrastructures
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-02-16
Volume
10
Issue
2
Pages
41
ISSN
2412-3811 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/infrastructures10020041
OpenAlex
W4407625799
Cited by
19
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11
FWCI
6.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Infrastructures (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Concrete and Cement Materials Research
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Innovative concrete reinforcement materials
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Microbial Applications in Construction Materials
Keywords
geopolymer concrete, alkaline activator, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium silicate, silica fume, fly ash, compressive strength, workability, water absorption, ettringite, microstructure, cement replacement, sustainable construction materials

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