Effect of Silica Fume on the Engineering Properties of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete Using 100% Recycled Concrete Aggregate

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Rudra Pratap Singh,

  • Bijayananda Mohanty,

  1. PhD Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Mizoram, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Mizoram, India

Abstract

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste has generated an enormous amount in developing countries like India due to explosive infrastructures and increasing urbanization, causing numerous concerns regarding the environment and economy. Recycling of aggregate from C&D debris is a beneficial approach to sustainable development and a circular economy. In contrast, numerous drawbacks of the integration of recycled concrete aggregates are due to adhered mortar remaining on their surfaces, reducing the strength compared to that obtained with natural aggregates (NA), inhibiting the extensive application of such concretes. This study assesses the viability of integrating 100% recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) into fly ash (FA) based geopolymer concrete (GPC) with the addition of silica fume (SF) cured at elevated temperatures (85°C). The present research examined the compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), water permeability, and rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) of FA-based GPC with and without 100% RCA substituted to natural aggregate. The results showed that the properties of GPC diminished when RCA was used. Interestingly, adding SF showed a positive influence on the overall properties of GPC. The compressive strength decreased by about 24% with the inclusion of 100% RCA. On the other hand, adding SF (5-20%) enhanced the compressive strength by 7.5-22%. Conclusively, this research shows the feasibility of employing 100% RCA to produce GPC, providing a sustainable approach to converting waste to useful construction materials.

Keywords: Geopolymer concrete, Recycled concrete aggregate, silica fume, Compressive strength, Chloride permeability.

How to cite this article:
Rudra Pratap Singh, Bijayananda Mohanty. Effect of Silica Fume on the Engineering Properties of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete Using 100% Recycled Concrete Aggregate. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Rudra Pratap Singh, Bijayananda Mohanty. Effect of Silica Fume on the Engineering Properties of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete Using 100% Recycled Concrete Aggregate. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=241191


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
02
Received 02/09/2025
Accepted 06/11/2025
Published 27/04/2026
Publication Time 237 Days
40

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