A systematic review of finite element modeling of geopolymer and alkali activated cement systems for sustainable structural design

Geopolymer and alkali-activated cement systems are increasingly investigated as low-carbon alternatives to ordinary Portland cement for structural applications. However, their broader adoption in engineering depends not only on environmental benefits but also on reliable predictions of structural response, cracking behavior, bond performance, and durability. This study presents a systematic review of experimental–numerical research on finite-element modeling (FEM) of geopolymer and alkali-activated concrete systems for sustainable structural design. A Scopus-based literature search, screening process, and eligibility assessment yielded 92 peer-reviewed journal articles for detailed analysis. The review compares dominant modeling platforms, constitutive formulations, interface laws, structural applications, and validation practices across beams, slabs, columns, composite members, and confinement- or impact-related systems. The findings show that ABAQUS, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, and ATENA are the principal numerical platforms used, with Concrete Damage Plasticity, cohesive-zone formulations, and bond-slip laws being the most common modeling approaches. In most experimentally validated studies, FEM predictions of load-deflection response, crack evolution, and ultimate capacity agreed with test results within approximately ± 10%, indicating useful predictive reliability for structural assessment and parametric design. The review further shows that sustainability and structural performance are linked through experimentally calibrated FEM, which enables low-carbon binder systems to be assessed with greater confidence for practical design applications. Despite this progress, broader implementation remains limited by inconsistent constitutive calibration, limited transferability across binder chemistries, and insufficiently coupled durability-oriented modeling. Overall, the review identifies experimentally validated FEM as a practical decision-support framework for reliable and sustainable structural design of geopolymer and alkali-activated cement systems.