Statistical modeling of fatigue crack growth in geopolymer concrete beams

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is gaining significant attention as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plain cement concrete (PCC), primarily due to its lower carbon emissions and superior mechanical properties.Recent research highlights its enhanced performance in terms of compressive strength, acid resistance, water permeability, and heat resistance.However, the behavior of GPC under cyclic loading, which is critical for assessing its long-term durability, still needs to be explored.This study aims to provide a better understanding of the fatigue performance of GPC, contributing to the broader assessment of its suitability for long-term use in construction applications.In this work, the fatigue crack growth rate of GPC is investigated using experimental data obtained from threepoint bending tests.Beam specimens of GPC, with dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm x 500 mm, are subjected to cyclic loading at a frequency of 1 Hz.The peak load applied during these cycles is 80% of the material's flexural strength, with a stress ratio of 0.1.A statistical model is employed to fit the experimental data and predict crack propagation trends under repeated loading.The crack length (a) versus number of cycles of loading (N) is recorded for each test, and is used for statistically predicting the fatigue crack growth behavior of GPC.Size adjusted Paris' law parameters are obtained, offering a mathematical representation of how cracks propagate in GPC under repeated loading.The proposed fatigue crack growth equation may be useful for predicting crack behavior in GPC, facilitating more informed decisions regarding its application in infrastructure projects.