High-strength sustainable geopolymer concrete based on fly ash and sugarcane bagasse ash

The 21st century has witnessed a substantial increase in the demand for construction materials, mainly influenced by the growing population. This increase in demand has resulted in higher prices for these materials and has also placed considerable burdens on environmental resources, prompting the search for eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives such as geopolymer materials to replace traditional materials like cement. The benefits of geopolymer materials as substitutes for cement in concrete extend beyond their exceptional durability. Initially, geopolymer was introduced to address the environmental impact arising from carbon dioxide emissions and the substantial consumption of fossil fuels through the production of cement. The study presents the use of fly ash and sugarcane bagasse ash to produce geopolymer concrete. The alkaline activators that were used are sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) was employed as a partial substitute for fly ash (FA), with varying proportions ranging from 5–20% with increments of 5%. Various tests, including the x-ray diffraction (XRD), scan electron microscope (SEM), slump test, and compressive strength test. The research findings have revealed that the mixture comprising 5% SCBA has the greatest compressive strength of 64 Mpa. However, as the percentage of SCBA in geopolymer concrete rises, its workability in its fresh form decreases significantly.