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The service life of concrete structures has been severely impacted by the significant rise in fire risk and the growing frequency of fire accidents. Despite the widespread perception that ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete is naturally fire-resistant, its strength and durability are affected by changes in its physical and chemical characteristics when exposed to elevated temperatures. There is a chance of cracking and spalling, which can result in financial losses and extreme conditions, even resulting in casualties. Additionally, manufacturing concrete adversely affects the environment by depleting natural resources and increasing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Researchers worldwide acknowledge the need for an eco-friendly concrete substitute. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to OPC concrete. However, it is necessary to assess its performance at elevated temperatures to develop heat-resistant GPC structural elements. Therefore, this chapter reviews the physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of GPC when exposed to elevated temperatures. The key parameters analysed in this study include visual inspection, weight loss, cracking behaviour, volume shrinkage, spalling resistance, strength properties, bond strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity and microstructural properties. The literature review revealed that GPC possesses superior thermal resistance compared to OPC concrete under high-temperature exposure. However, precise mix design is necessary for GPC to obtain significant chemical stability, strength endurance, low volume shrinkage and spalling resistance. This study demonstrates that the high-temperature behaviour of GPC is greatly influenced by factors such as the selection of precursor materials, aggregate properties, fibre reinforcement, the characteristics of the alkali activator, curing conditions, etc. Therefore, these factors must be selected carefully to achieve optimal performance of GPC in elevated heat conditions. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future investigations on the fire resilience characteristics of GPC, which are essential for the sustainable development of civil engineering structures.

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Evaluation of Geopolymer Concrete Exposed to Elevated Temperatures: A Review of Microstructure and Physical–Mechanical Characteristics

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Shimol Philip,
  • M. Nidhi

摘要

The service life of concrete structures has been severely impacted by the significant rise in fire risk and the growing frequency of fire accidents. Despite the widespread perception that ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete is naturally fire-resistant, its strength and durability are affected by changes in its physical and chemical characteristics when exposed to elevated temperatures. There is a chance of cracking and spalling, which can result in financial losses and extreme conditions, even resulting in casualties. Additionally, manufacturing concrete adversely affects the environment by depleting natural resources and increasing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Researchers worldwide acknowledge the need for an eco-friendly concrete substitute. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to OPC concrete. However, it is necessary to assess its performance at elevated temperatures to develop heat-resistant GPC structural elements. Therefore, this chapter reviews the physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of GPC when exposed to elevated temperatures. The key parameters analysed in this study include visual inspection, weight loss, cracking behaviour, volume shrinkage, spalling resistance, strength properties, bond strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity and microstructural properties. The literature review revealed that GPC possesses superior thermal resistance compared to OPC concrete under high-temperature exposure. However, precise mix design is necessary for GPC to obtain significant chemical stability, strength endurance, low volume shrinkage and spalling resistance. This study demonstrates that the high-temperature behaviour of GPC is greatly influenced by factors such as the selection of precursor materials, aggregate properties, fibre reinforcement, the characteristics of the alkali activator, curing conditions, etc. Therefore, these factors must be selected carefully to achieve optimal performance of GPC in elevated heat conditions. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future investigations on the fire resilience characteristics of GPC, which are essential for the sustainable development of civil engineering structures.