STRENGTH ENHANCEMENT OF RUBBERIZED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE THROUGH LIMESTONE POWDER OPTIMIZATION: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO BALANCING STRENGTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

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 ix 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.