Performance Optimization of Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Under Coupled Thermal and Mechanical Loading
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Abstract
Fibre-reinforced geopolymer concrete (FRGPC) is a promising low-clinker construction material for infrastructure that must retain load-bearing capacity after thermal exposure. Its performance under combined thermal and mechanical actions, however, depends on the aluminosilicate precursor chemistry, activator composition, aggregate thermal compatibility, fibre geometry and dosage, curing history, heating rate, dwell time, cooling regime, and the applied stress level during heating. This manuscript develops an experimental and statistical framework for optimizing FRGPC under coupled thermal–mechanical loading. The proposed programme combines a fly ash–ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) binder, steel and basalt fibres, controlled thermal exposure, residual mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, and response surface methodology. The principal independent variables are total fibre volume fraction, steel-to-basalt fibre ratio, peak temperature, heating rate, and sustained load ratio. Responses include compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, elastic modulus, mass loss, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and a toughness-related index. A central composite design or an appropriate response-surface design is proposed to identify nonlinear effects and interactions while limiting the number of experiments. Analysis of variance, residual diagnostics, lack-of-fit testing, desirability-based multi-response optimization, and confirmation experiments are specified to ensure statistical defensibility. The manuscript synthesizes recent literature indicating that fibres can improve crack bridging and post-cracking integrity, while elevated temperature can induce moisture migration, matrix shrinkage, interfacial debonding, aggregate–matrix incompatibility, and fibre-dependent changes. The optimum composition is expected to represent a compromise between ambient strength, residual strength, toughness, workability, and material efficiency; its location must be established experimentally rather than assumed. The framework is intended to support reproducible development of thermally resilient geopolymer concrete and to provide a transparent basis for subsequent SCI/SCIE publication
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