Characterization of Bamboo-Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Composites

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 1007 1025
    By

    Shekhar Rahane,

  • Balaprasad Kurpatwar,

  • Mangesh Patil,

  • Sweety Jachak,

  • Krupal Pawar,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Nutan Maharashtra Institute of Engineering & Technology, SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adsul Technical Campus, Chas, SPPU, Ahilyanagar, Maharshtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adsul Technical Campus, Chas, SPPU, Ahilyanagar, Maharshtra, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Engineering, Guru Gobind Singh College of Engg., Nashik, SPPU, Maharshtra, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Karjule Harya, SPPU, Ahilyanagar, Maharshtra, India

Abstract

In this project, we plan to produce and assess a new, eco-friendly composite made from geopolymer (from a combination of fly ash and GGBFS), strengthened with chemically treated bamboo fibres for retrofitting earthquake-resistant buildings. Geopolymer is produced by activating a mixture of fly ash and GGBFS with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. We have produced and analyzed bamboo fibre-reinforced geopolymer composites as potential materials for seismic retrofitting of structures and obtained very good results. A geopolymer composite was developed using a composition of 70 % fly ash, 30 % GGBFS, 12 M sodium hydroxide, an SS/SH mass ratio of 2.0, and 3 % alkali-silane treated bamboo fibres, each having a random orientation of 30 mm within the matrix. In terms of both mechanical (structural) properties, workability and environmental sustainability, this combination achieved the best compromise. With respect to structural behaviour, the most successful composite displayed a compressive strength of 52.3 MPa, a flexural strength of 8.7 MPa, representing a 71 % increase relative to the unreinforced matrix; and a tensile strength of 4.2 MPa, representing a 100 % increase. Most important, the material switched from a brittle fracture mode to a pseudo-ductile fracture mode, a critical switch to enhance energy absorption and thus seismic retrofitting performance.

Keywords: Composite, geopolymer, fly ash, GGBFS, bamboo fibre.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Shekhar Rahane, Balaprasad Kurpatwar, Mangesh Patil, Sweety Jachak, Krupal Pawar. Characterization of Bamboo-Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Composites. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1007-1025.
How to cite this URL:
Shekhar Rahane, Balaprasad Kurpatwar, Mangesh Patil, Sweety Jachak, Krupal Pawar. Characterization of Bamboo-Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Composites. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1007-1025. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=236654


References

  1. Rossetto T, Ioannou I, Grant DN. Existing empirical vulnerability and fragility functions: Compendium and guide for selection. GEM Technical Report. GEM Foundation, Pavia, Italy; 2013.
  2. Petek Gursel A, Masanet E, Horvath A, Stadel A. Life-cycle inventory analysis of concrete production: A critical review. Cem Concr Compos. 2014; 51:38–48.
  3. International Energy Agency. Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019. Paris, France: IEA; 2019.
  4. Davidovits J. Geopolymer chemistry and applications. 4th ed. Saint-Quentin: Institut Géopolymère; 2015.
  5. Provis JL, van Deventer JSJ. Geopolymers: Structures, processing, properties and industrial applications. Oxford: Woodhead Publishing; 2009.
  6. Hardjito D, Rangan BV. Development and properties of low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. Research Report GC1. Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia; 2005.
  7. Silva FA, Chawla N, Toledo Filho RD. Tensile behavior of high performance natural (sisal) fibers. Compos Sci Technol. 2008;68(15-16):3438–3443.
  8. Janssen JJA. Mechanical properties of bamboo [dissertation]. Eindhoven: Eindhoven University of Technology; 1981.
  9. Ghavami K. Bamboo as reinforcement in structural concrete elements. Cem Concr Compos. 2005;27(6):637-649.
  10. International Network for Bamboo and Rattan. Bamboo and climate change mitigation. INBAR Policy Brief. Beijing, China; 2010.
  11. Lobovikov D, Paudel S, Piazza M, Ren H, Wu J. World bamboo resources: A thematic study. Non-Wood Forest Products. no. 18. Rome: FAO; 2007.
  12. McLellan BC, Williams RP, Lay J, van Riessen A, Corder GD. Costs and carbon emissions for geopolymer pastes. J Clean Prod. 2011;19(9-10):1080–1090.
  13. Osorio L, Trujillo E, Van Vuure AW, Verpoest I. Morphological aspects and mechanical properties of single bamboo fibers. J Reinf Plast Compos. 2011;30(5):396–408.
  14. Davidovits J. Geopolymers: Inorganic polymeric new materials. J Therm Anal. 1991;37(8):1633–1656.
  15. Duxson P, et al. Geopolymer technology: The current state of the art. J Mater Sci. 2007;42(9):2917–2933.
  16. Palomo A, et al. Chemical stability of cementitious materials based on metakaolin. Cem Concr Res. 1999;29(7):997–1004.
  17. Singh B, Ishwarya G, Gupta M, Bhattacharyya SK. Geopolymer concrete: A review. Constr Build Mater. 2015;85:78–90.
  18. Yip CK, Lukey GC, van Deventer JSJ. The coexistence of geopolymeric gel and calcium silicate hydrate. Cem Concr Res. 2005;35(9):1688–1697.
  19. Olivia M, Nikraz H. Properties of fly ash geopolymer concrete designed by Taguchi method. Mater Des. 2012;36:191–198.
  20. Sumajouw DMJ, Hardjito D, Wallah SE, Rangan BV. Fly ash-based geopolymer concrete: Study of slender reinforced columns. J Mater Sci. 2007;42(9):3124–3130.
  21. Rashad AM. A comprehensive overview about the influence of different additives on alkali-activated slag. Constr Build Mater. 2013;47:29–55.
  22. Bakharev T. Durability of geopolymer materials in sodium and magnesium sulfate solutions. Cem Concr Res. 2005;35(6):1233–1246.
  23. Duxson P, et al. The effect of alkali and Si/Al ratio on mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymers. Colloids Surf A. 2007;292(1):8–20.
  24. Kong DLY, Sanjayan JG. Effect of elevated temperatures on geopolymer paste, mortar and concrete. Cem Concr Res. 2010;40(2):334–339.
  25. Bledzki AK, Gassan J. Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibres. Prog Polym Sci. 1999;24(2):221–274.
  26. Wötzel M, Wirth R, Flake M. Life cycle studies on hemp fibre reinforced components. Angew Makromol Chem. 1999;272(1):121–127.
  27. Satyanarayana KG, Arizaga GGC, Wypych F. Biodegradable composites based on lignocellulosic fibers. Prog Polym Sci. 2009;34(9):982–1021.
  28. Asdrubali S, D’Alessandro F, Schiavoni S. A review of unconventional sustainable building insulation materials. Sustain Mater Technol. 2015;4:1–17.
  29. John MJ, Thomas S. Biofibres and biocomposites. Carbohydr Polym. 2008;71(3):343–364.
  30. Toledo Filho RD, Scrivener K, England GL, Ghavami K. Durability of alkali-sensitive sisal and coconut fibres. Cem Concr Compos. 2000;22(2):127–143.
  31. Kabir MM, Wang H, Lau KT, Cardona F. Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites. Compos B Eng. 2012;43(7):2883–2892.
  32. Li X, Tabil LG, Panigrahi S. Chemical treatments of natural fiber for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites. J Polym Environ. 2007;15(1):25–33.
  33. Yousif BF, El-Tayeb NSM. The effect of oil palm fibers as reinforcement on tribological performance. Surf Rev Lett. 2007;14(6):1095–1102.
  34. Zafeiropoulos NE, et al. Engineering and characterisation of the interface in flax fibre/polypropylene composite materials. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf. 2002;33(8):1083–1093.
  35. Azzini F, Ciaramello GS, Salgado ACO. Bamboos from the Merostachys, Chusquea, and Guadua genera as pulp sources. Bragantia. 1987;46(2):379–391.
  36. Liese W. The anatomy of bamboo culms. Technical Report. Beijing, China: INBAR; 1998.
  37. Nogata S, Takahashi H. Intelligent functionally graded material: Bamboo. Compos Eng. 1995;5(7):743–751.
  38. Amada S, Untao S. Fracture properties of bamboo. Compos B Eng. 2001;32(5):451–459.
  39. Chung KK, Yu SH. Mechanical properties of structural bamboo for bamboo scaffoldings. Eng Struct. 2002;24(4):429–442.
  40. Sharma B, et al. Engineered bamboo for structural applications. Constr Build Mater. 2015;81:66–73.
  41. Sharma B, et al. Thermal conductivity of engineered bamboo composites. J Mater Sci. 2015;50(21):7004–7013.
  42. Ghavami K. Ultimate load behavior of bamboo-reinforced lightweight concrete beams. Cem Concr Compos. 1995;17(4):281–288.
  43. Rahman MM, et al. Performance evaluation of bamboo reinforced concrete beam. Int J Eng Technol. 2011;11(4):142–146.
  44. Janssen JJA. Bamboo in building structures [dissertation]. Eindhoven: Eindhoven University of Technology; 1981.
  45. Shah DU, Ramage M, Ulrike F, Scherman O. Environmental resin for bamboo composites. University of Cambridge Research Report. UK; 2016.
Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 28/01/2026
Accepted 05/02/2026
Published 15/02/2026
Publication Time 18 Days
123

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics