review · Case Studies in Construction Materials
Traditional Portland cement composites suffer from brittleness and poor tensile performance, a challenge that is also pronounced in geopolymer alternatives produced with precursors like fly ash and blast furnace slag. Furthermore, exposure to high temperatures can degrade concrete, leading to cracking, spalling, and compromised structural safety. While fiber reinforcement has historically resolved these vulnerabilities in standard concrete by improving ductility and durability, research has turned toward reinforcing geopolymer composites. An evaluation of published studies categorised by fiber type shows that incorporating fibers into geopolymers significantly enhances their physical, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal qualities. These fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites offer a sustainable substitute for Portland cement in structural applications, although further research remains necessary to thoroughly assess their performance across diverse operational environments.
Replacing conventional cement with geopolymers can reduce the environmental footprint of construction. However, alternative binders must remain safe and resilient under extreme conditions such as fires. Demonstrating that fiber reinforcement improves both the mechanical strength and thermal stability of geopolymers provides confidence for developing safer, lower-carbon building materials for infrastructure.
The findings are relevant to building material manufacturers, structural engineers, and contractors seeking lower-carbon alternatives to conventional Portland cement. Because the technology enhances fire resistance and structural integrity, it could target commercial and civil construction applications. However, as this work is a secondary literature synthesis noting the need for further investigation across varied conditions, the technology remains in the applied research stage rather than near-market readiness.
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Because of their brittleness, traditional Portland cement-based composites are inherently weaker under tensile loads. This issue becomes worse in geopolymer (GPL) composites by the pozzolanic action of precursors such as fly ash and GGBFS. When selecting building materials, fire resistance is essential since structures may experience fire hazards at some point in their lifetime. Although it is widely accepted that concrete is naturally fire-resistant, high temperatures can change the material's performance, compromising its strength, durability, and chemical and physical characteristics. This may result in cracking and spalling, which can result in financial losses and, in extreme circumstances, fatalities. Fiber reinforcement has long been used in traditional Portland cement concrete to address this problem. It not only greatly improves the material's mechanical and durability qualities but also successfully changes the brittle nature of the concrete into a more ductile or quasi-ductile state. To enhance performance and prolong service life, efforts have been made to incorporate fiber reinforcement into GPL composites, considering the global trend towards the partial or total replacement of Portland cement-based products in the construction industry and the emergence of these composites as viable alternatives. Given the recent development of fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites (FRGPL), the goal of this research is to advance knowledge and assessment of the function of fibers in improving GPL materials. This work performs an extensive literature evaluation of FRGPL research that has been published, classifying publications according to the fiber types used. The physical, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal characteristics of GPL composites are thoroughly examined in this paper. The review emphasizes that fiber additions significantly improve GPL characteristics, and FRGPL shows great promise as a sustainable option for structural applications. To completely investigate their performance across a variety of applications, more investigation is necessary.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03519
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