Engineering#14 in February 2026 EditionCarbon-neutral geopolymer concrete utilizing industrial metallurgical slag without Portland cement
Thorsten Weber, Guowei Chen, Liam O'Connor et al.
OPENSTEM EDITORIAL SUMMARY
What the research examines
Civil engineers develop an alkali-activated geopolymer concrete mix combining ground granulated blast-furnace slag and fly ash activated with sodium silicate, achieving 65 MPa 28-day compressive strength and an 80% embodied carbon reduction relative to OPC.
Why it may matter
Directly combats the massive global carbon footprint of Portland cement production responsible for 8% of global greenhouse emissions.
What to examine carefully
Fast initial setting times in warm climates require chemical setting retarders to maintain workability for concrete pouring.
Editorial scope: This is a concise, independently written introduction based on the publisher information, not a full systematic review or independent replication. It must not replace reading the original methods, limitations and conclusions.
STUDENT RESEARCH LENS · ORIGINAL OPENSTEM NOTES
Try a small, reproducible follow-up
Calculate embodied carbon (kg CO2-eq per cubic meter) for ordinary Portland concrete versus slag geopolymer concrete mixtures.
Questions to investigate
- How was efflorescence salt leaching suppressed on exposed geopolymer concrete surfaces?
- What chloride penetration resistance was measured during accelerated saltwater immersion tests?
These are independently proposed educational investigations, not activities that the original research authors claim to have completed.
Publication & researcher information
JournalCement and Concrete Composites
Published online2026-02-22
Authors (selected)Thorsten Weber, Guowei Chen, Liam O'Connor et al.
University / laboratoryTU Delft
CountryNetherlands
Multi-author research may involve universities in several countries. Unverified institutions and contact addresses are not inferred from authors' names.