Bamboo reinforced panels with recycled concrete aggregates: A comparative study between cement and geopolymer concrete

The present study examines the behavior of bamboo-reinforced concrete slabs with two distinct concrete types (cement concrete and geopolymer concrete (GPC)) under the influence of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Four types of slab systems were examined, namely, CBC (cement concrete-based bamboo reinforced composite panels), CRBC (recycled concrete aggregate blended cement-based bamboo reinforced composite panels), GBC (geopolymer-based bamboo reinforced composite panels), and GRBC (recycled concrete aggregate blended geopolymer-based bamboo reinforced composite panels). The slab panels were evaluated through non-destructive testing (ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound hammer test) and structural loading tests to measure first crack load, ultimate load, load-deflection behavior, stiffness, ductility index, deformability factor, and energy absorption capacity. In addition, cost-efficiency, energy demand, and eco-efficiency were analyzed. GBC specimen shows 19.6% higher load carrying capacity than CBC specimen; meanwhile, GRBC specimen shows 22% higher load carrying capacity than CRBC specimen. In comparison between the CBC and GBC specimens, the CBC possesses 49% lower energy absorption capacity when compared to the GBC specimen. Meanwhile, the CRBC specimen possesses 38% lower value compared to its counterpart (GRBC specimen). GRBC specimens are found to be quite effective in terms of cost, along with the load-carrying capacity.