International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET International Open Access, Monthly, Peer Reviewed, Reputed Journal ISSN (online): 2581-3048

Impact Factor (2025): 6.9

DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET

Sustainable Geopolymer Concrete Using Recycled Brick Dust and Fly Ash: A Strength-Based Study

Abstract

The rapid increasing demand for concrete driven by rapid urbanization has resulted in significant natural resource depletion and a rise in carbon dioxide emissions associated with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) production. This study investigates the development of geopolymer concrete (GPC) as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative, utilizing recycled brick dust (RBD) and fly ash (FA) as alumino-silicate-based binders. In this research focuses on the partial replacement of FA with RBD at varying ratios (0%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 80%) to evaluate its impact on compressive strength. The geopolymer mixtures were activated used of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃), with the NaOH concentration kept constant at 10M. A fixed Na₂SiO₃/NaOH ratio of 2.5 and an alkali activator-to-binder ratio of 0.4 were maintained across all mixes. Each Specimens were heat-cured at 90°C for 24 hours, followed by ambient curing for 3, 7, and 14 days. The Specimen compressive strength tests were conducted to determine the mechanical performance of the resulting GPC. The results shown that replacing fly ash with 40–60% brick dust produced the highest compressive strength, reaching approximately 48.03 MPa at 14 days, compared to 30 MPa for conventional cement concrete blocks. The study displayed that potential of RBD and FA-based GPC as a high-strength, eco-conscious construction material. By using this industrial waste, this application not only reduces dependency on OPC but also contributes to lower carbon emissions and enhanced sustainability in construction practices.

Country : Bangladesh

1 Syria Mostak2 Md. Abdur Rauf3 M.M. Fahad Islam Barno

  1. Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Presidency University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  2. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Presidency University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  3. Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Presidency University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 9, September 2025 pp. 54-64

doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2025.909009

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