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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

Sustainable Concrete Solutions: Chemically Predictive Modeling of Geopolymer Versus Ordinary Concrete in a Circular Economy

  1. Akshay Dhawan Department of Civil Engineering, GLA University, Mathura
  2. Manvendra Verma Department of Civil Engineering, GLA University, Mathura

Abstract

Concrete is a fundamental structural material widely used in civil engineering projects. It plays a key role in various types of building structures, with its quality directly influencing the durability of the construction. This research focuses on assessing the current state of concrete construction, highlighting critical issues and technical aspects in the process, while emphasizing the importance of improving construction quality and management practices. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) presents a viable solution for mitigating structural degradation and addressing environmental issues. Nonetheless, there has been a paucity of research regarding its financial implications. This study investigates the GPC production utilising by-products of industrial, specifically GGBFS and fly ash. Source materials are activated with alkaline solutions that vary in concentration and composition, especially regarding the proportion of GGBFS. A major objective of this research is to evaluate the economic viability and production cost of GPC in comparison to conventional ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete. The results indicate that although some GPC mixes (e.g., GPC-2 and GPCS-7) may have a lower economic index than OPC, their production costs are significantly reduced—by 31.13% and 43.74%, respectively. Furthermore, GPC demonstrates improved compressive strength compared to OPC, reinforcing its potential as a more cost-effective and practical alternative in construction applications.

Keywords

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