Combined effect of slag incorporation and polyamide fiber reinforcement under different curing regimes on the performance of geopolymer concrete
Structural Engineering and Mechanics, cilt.100, sa.2, ss.297-321, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 100 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.12989/sem.2026.100.2.05
- Dergi Adı: Structural Engineering and Mechanics
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.297-321
- Anahtar Kelimeler: curing regime, GBFS, geopolymer concrete, polyamide fiber, strength development
- Kayseri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study presents a systematic investigation into the coupled effects of curing regime, incorporation of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), and polyamide fiber reinforcement on the performance of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. A comprehensive experimental program was designed to evaluate varying GBFS contents (0–20%) and polyamide fiber ratios (0–3%) cured under both ambient and oven conditions. The mechanical behavior was evaluated through compressive, splitting tensile strength tests, while microstructural characteristics were examined using SEM, EDX, and TGA analyses. The results reveal that the curing regime plays a dominant role in strength development, with oven curing significantly enhancing geopolymerization and resulting in superior mechanical performance compared to ambient curing. GBFS incorporation contributed to strength enhancement by promoting the formation of calcium-rich reaction products, leading to a denser and more homogeneous matrix. Polyamide fibers improved mechanical performance up to an optimal content of 2%, beyond which strength degradation was observed due to fiber clustering and reduced matrix continuity. A strong interaction between GBFS content and fiber dosage was identified, indicating that optimal performance is achieved through a balanced mixture design rather than individual parameter optimization. The best-performing mixture was obtained with 2% polyamide fiber and 20% GBFS under oven curing, demonstrating the combined effect of chemical and physical modifications. Microstructural observations confirmed the formation of a compact matrix with improved fiber-matrix bonding in optimized mixtures. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multi-parameter interaction governing geopolymer concrete performance and offers practical guidance for optimizing sustainable fiber-reinforced geopolymer systems.