Smart Composite Geopolymeric Concrete

The Frederick Research Center is intensively working on the development of an innovative construction and building material that will combine the fire resistance property with the properties of impact and blast resistance. According to the experimental results so far, the developed material presented a compressive strength higher than 130 MPa and a flexural strength of about 9 MPa and withstood temperatures higher than 1050 °C for 2 hours, confirming a great resistance against fire. The new material is called “Smart Composite Geopolymeric Concrete” and is intended to be used as an impact/blast- and fire-resistant material for buildings and structures.

The production of this advanced material is based on the geopolymerization technology and takes place at ambient temperature, reducing extremely its environmental footprint while it utilizes an industrial waste, the blast furnace slag, providing with the additional benefit of sustainability.

In the continuation of the project, the addition of various fibers will be experimentally tested, to enhance the flexural strength of the material and its impact and blast resistance.