Rubber fibre reinforced geopolymer concrete with silica fumes as a replacement for fine aggregate

Abstract

This experimental study deals with the upgrading of rubber fibre reinforced geopolymer concrete with silica fumes as replacement of fine aggregate. Researches are experimenting with replacing ordinary portland cement with GGBS as binder. GGBS has several positive environmental impacts. It reduces the carbon footprints of concrete producing by completely or partially replacing a portion of cement, which is a significant source of CO2 emission. In this experiment fine aggregate also partially replaced with silica fume by 10%,20%,30%,40% and 50%. Silica fumes is extremely fine particles, with high surface area and reactivity, make it an excellent material for enhancing the properties of concrete. When adding to concrete mixture silica fumes filled the voids between cement particles leading to denser and stronger concrete. Cube and cylinder are the specimens cured at 7 and 28 days for determining the mechanical properties like compressive strength and split tensile strength. Sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide were the alkali solution used as an admixture for the concrete grade-M30. The rubber fibres are added at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% to the obtained optimum value. From 10%-50%, 30% of silica fumes in geopolymer shows the optimum mix when compared to conventional Portland cement concrete mix. Our project point to emphasize an advanced concrete mix that is sustainable, durable and ecofriendly for the construction field.