Analysis of geopolymer concrete columns

Ordinary portland cement (OPC) has been traditionally used as the binding agent in concrete. However, it is also necessary to search for alternative low-emission binding agents for concrete to reduce the environmental impact caused by manufacturing of cement. Geopolymer, also known as inorganic polymer, is one such material that uses by-product material such as fly ash instead of cement. Recent research has shown that fly ash-based geopolymer concrete has suitable properties for its use as a construction material. Since the strength development mechanism of geopolymer is different from that of OPC binder, it is necessary to obtain a suitable constitutive model for geopolymer concrete to predict the load–deflection behaviour and strength of geopolymer concrete structural members. This article has investigated the suitability of using an existing stress–strain model originally proposed by Popovics for OPC concrete. It is found that the equation of Popovics can be used for geopolymer concrete with minor modification to the expression for the curve fitting factor, to better fit with the post-peak parts of the experimental stress–strain curves. The slightly modified set of stress–strain equations was then used in a non-linear analysis for reinforced concrete columns. A good correlation is achieved between the predicted and measured ultimate loads, load–deflection curves and deflected shapes for 12 slender test columns.