Durability properties of fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete with natural and industrial waste mineral admixtures

In this study, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and quarry rock dust (RD), both industrial and natural mineral wastes were used as binder materials in geopolymer concrete. The influence of these mineral admixtures on the concrete’s durability under aggressive environmental conditions was investigated. Steel, polyester, and hybrid fibers were incorporated at volume fractions of 0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0% to further enhance durability performance. Freeze-thaw and sulfate resistance tests were carried out to evaluate the effects of fiber type and content on the durability behavior of the geopolymer concrete. The test results showed that the mineral waste-based binder system itself offered considerable durability while the addition of fibers significantly improved resistance to freeze-thaw cycles and sulfate attacks. Among all types, the geopolymer concrete with 0.5% polyester fiber exhibited the highest resistance to freeze-thaw while hybrid fiber usage provided a balanced enhancement across both test environments.