International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Anil Kumar, Vivek Pahuja
Abstract: Geopolymer concrete (GPC) — an emerging low-carbon alternative to Portland cement concrete — has attracted considerable attention for its reduced CO₂ footprint and excellent chemical resistance. The growing demand for sustainable construction materials has intensified research into geopolymer concrete as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional Portland cement concrete. Although geopolymer concrete exhibits excellent compressive strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability, its inherently brittle nature and limited tensile performance restrict broader structural applications. The incorporation of glass fibers has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the mechanical performance and durability of geopolymer matrices. This review paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of existing research on glass fiber–reinforced geopolymer concrete (GFRGPC), with a focus on performance characteristics, underlying reinforcement mechanisms, and optimization strategies. The effects of glass fiber on fresh properties, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural behavior. Durability aspects such as alkali resistance of glass fibers, chloride penetration, chemical attack, and high-temperature performance are also reviewed, highlighting both the benefits and limitations of glass fiber incorporation in highly alkaline geopolymer environments. The review identifies optimal ranges of fiber content that maximize mechanical performance while minimizing adverse effects on workability and fiber dispersion. Furthermore, current challenges, including long-term durability of glass fibers, lack of standardized mix design procedures, and variability in experimental methodologies, are discussed. Based on the analyzed literature, future research directions are proposed, focusing on long-term performance evaluation, and life-cycle assessment. The findings demonstrate that, with proper optimization, glass fiber–reinforced geopolymer concrete has strong potential as a high-performance and sustainable material for future structural and infrastructure applications.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20175276
