Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Flexural Behavior of Sustainable Self-Compacting Geopolymer RC Beams

This paper investigates experimentally and numerically the flexural characteristics of sustainable self-compacting reinforced geopolymer concrete beams having granite waste powder and slag with heat curing treatment at first cracking and at strength levels. Five geopolymer and one reference Portland cement reinforced concrete simple beams (100 mm x150 mmx 1500 mm) were tested under 2-point loads. The two main variables are longitudinal reinforcement ratio and shear span-to-depth ratio. Test results of geopolymer and cement reinforced concrete simple beams are presented and compared with numerical results; load-displacement response, flexural strength, strains, failure mode, cracking pattern, etc. Considering the material properties of geopolymer concrete, the concrete modulus and stress- strain relationships have been adapted to do a finite element nonlinear analysis. The developed finite element models and the conventional beam theory can reasonably predict the flexural strength and deflection of geopolymer reinforced concrete beams.