Geopolymer Self Compacting Concrete

The increasing environmental concerns associated with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), particularly its high carbon dioxide emissions, have encouraged the development of sustainable alternatives in concrete technology. This study investigates the performance of Geopolymer Self-Compacting Concrete (GPC-SCC) as an eco-friendly substitute for conventional Normal Self-Compacting Concrete (N-SCC). In the experimental program, fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) were used as geopolymer binders, while steel slag was incorporated as a partial replacement for natural fine aggregate to improve sustainability. Two GPC-SCC mixes were prepared: one with 100% natural sand and another with 50% steel slag replacement, and their fresh and hardened properties were compared with N-SCC of M50 grade. Fresh-state performance was evaluated using Slump Cone, J-Ring, L-Box, and V-Funnel tests, while hardened-state performance was assessed through compressive strength tests under oven curing and ambient curing conditions. The study concludes that GPC-SCC with steel slag is a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional SCC, offering reduced environmental impact while maintaining adequate fresh and hardened performance for structural applications.