Thermal Performance and Durability of Pavement-Grade Geopolymer Concrete Reinforced with Polypropylene Fibers and Containing Recycled Materials

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, I. R. Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, I. R. Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, I. R. Iran.

Abstract

Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) is gaining attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cementitious concretes; however, its performance in high-temperature environments and in operational conditions such as pavements requires improvement. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the enhancement of the thermal performance and durability of GPC when exposed to elevated temperatures. In this experimental study, fly ash and metakaolin were utilized as precursor materials in a binary blended GPC, and the effect of adding Polypropylene (PP) fibers at various volume fractions (up to 1.5%) on the mechanical properties and thermal performance of the concrete was examined under different temperature conditions (room temperature, 200, 500, and 800 °C). Compressive strength of the specimens was measured at 7 and 28 days, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine the degree of influence of each factor on compressive strength. The results indicated that the addition of PP fibers up to 0.5% increased the GPC’s compressive strength, and the optimum replacement percentage for fly ash with metakaolin was 20%, where the compressive strength of the specimens showed a significant improvement. This research demonstrated that the incorporation of polypropylene fibers and the use of metakaolin can enhance the thermal performance (fire resistance) of binary blended GPC and ensure its durability in pavement applications at high temperatures. These findings offer practical solutions for improving the high-temperature performance of GPC, paving the way for its wider applications.

Keywords

Journal of Transportation Infrastructure Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 3 - Serial Number 43
In Progress
November 2025
Pages 22-44

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 14 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 October 2025

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