Abstract:
In today's building industry, where sustainability is of the utmost importance, the search
for substitute materials has become immensely important. Although its brittleness is a
difficulty, geopolymer concrete (GPC) appears to be a promising environmentally
friendly alternative to traditional Portland cement concrete. In order to overcome this
difficulty, scientists have put up creative methods that not only solve the brittleness
problem but also improve the material's overall environmental impact. A really unique
method of giving GPC ductility is the addition of used rubber tires that have been
skillfully recycled into coarse aggregates. This two-folds approach tackles the growing
amount of used rubber tires that end up in landfills, which is a serious ecological issue in
addition to brittleness. Moreover, as the global construction industry remains committed
to sustainability benchmarks, a comprehensive Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)
has been undertaken to evaluate the environmental footprint of GPC compared to
ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC). The investigation revealed that substituting
coarse aggregates with rubber aggregates led to notable reductions in compressive and
flexural strengths. In contrast, incorporating 15% and 30% limestone powder increased
compressive strength and split tensile strength substantially. A 30% limestone powder
substitution proved optimal for enhancing the strengths. These findings provide insights
into enhancing rubberized geopolymer concrete's mechanical properties while
maintaining sustainability. This study presents a multifaceted investigation into the
integration of waste rubber tires and limestone powder to enhance the mechanical
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properties and environmental sustainability of geopolymer concrete. It highlights the
potential of GPC as a viable alternative to traditional concrete, offering a more
sustainable and eco-friendly solution while addressing the critical issue of waste tire
disposal. The findings, supported by the comprehensive LCIA, contribute to the growing
body of knowledge aimed at revolutionizing construction practices and reducing the
environmental footprint of the construction industry.
