Exploring the viability of copper slag geopolymer concrete in structural applications: A study on strength variability and seismic risk assessment

Abstract

This study explores the use of copper slag (CS) as a sustainable alternative to natural sand (NS) in geopolymer concrete (GPC) for structural applications. Despite the potential of CS to promote environmental sustainability by repurposing industrial waste, its adoption in the construction industry remains limited. To address this gap, the study focuses on two main aspects: (i) modelling the uncertainty in the strength properties of CS-based GPC, and (ii) assessing the performance of CS-based GPC in seismic-resistant reinforced concrete (RC) framed buildings. The results show that the compressive strength of CS-based GPC is best represented by the Gumbel max and Gamma distributions, while the splitting tensile strength is well-modelled by Gamma and lognormal distributions. The flexural strength follows Gumbel max and Weibull distributions. These findings provide valuable data for probabilistic structural analysis and reliability-based design. Additionally, the seismic performance of RC frames made with GPC containing CS was found to be comparable to that of control frames with NS, confirming the viability of CS-based GPC in seismic-resistant structures. This research demonstrates that CS can be effectively utilized in GPC without compromising structural safety, contributing to more sustainable concrete construction practices.