Sustainable translucent geopolymer concrete based on metakaolin and recycled glass

Rusul Ghadban; Lubna Kamil; Samer Abdulhussein; Mohammed Abdulrehman; Ali Flayyih; Rusul Ghadban; Lubna Kamil; Samer Abdulhussein; Mohammed Abdulrehman; Ali Flayyih

doi:10.3934/matersci.2026005

AIMS Materials Science

2026, Volume 13, Issue 1: 80-98. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2026005

Previous Article Next Article

Research article

Sustainable translucent geopolymer concrete based on metakaolin and recycled glass

1.
Project and Construction Division, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
2.
Civil Engineering, Engineering College, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
3.
Materials Engineering, Engineering College, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq

Received: 12 September 2025 Revised: 21 December 2025 Accepted: 13 January 2026 Published: 20 January 2026

In this study, a new translucent geopolymer concrete (TGPC) was developed using recycled crushed glass as a partial fine aggregate substitute and metakaolin as the only binder to combine sustainability with architectural functionality. This paper presents an eco-innovative system that simultaneously optimizes the structural, optical, and thermal properties, in contrast to traditional translucent concrete that uses Portland cement and virgin optical fibers. Alkali-resistant glass fibers (ARGF), coated and uncoated optical glass fibers (OGF), and crushed glass (0–60%) were included in different amounts in the six mix designs. Extensive tests were performed, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructural analysis, light transmittance, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and flexural strength. The optimum proportion (T3), based on the data obtained, reached a unique synergy between strength, transparency, and thermal insulation with a compressive strength of 35.8 MPa, bending strength of 5.0 MPa, light transmission of 2.2%, and lower thermal conductivity of 0.686 W/m·K. Based on the SEM analysis, early interface degradation was noted on the uncoated fibers, but the fluoropolymer-coated OGF retained robust fiber-to-matrix adhesions. This work is original in the context of the first study that employed a unique combination of recycled glass materials, fluoropolymer-coated fibers, and a metakaolin binder with lower carbon emissions. These data show that TGPC is an alternative material suitable for ecologically concerned and energy-efficient daylighting architectural technologies.
- translucent concrete,
- light transmittance,
- metakaolin binder,
- thermal conductivity,
- sustainable construction
Citation: Rusul Ghadban, Lubna Kamil, Samer Abdulhussein, Mohammed Abdulrehman, Ali Flayyih. Sustainable translucent geopolymer concrete based on metakaolin and recycled glass[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2026, 13(1): 80-98. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2026005

Related Papers:

Abstract

In this study, a new translucent geopolymer concrete (TGPC) was developed using recycled crushed glass as a partial fine aggregate substitute and metakaolin as the only binder to combine sustainability with architectural functionality. This paper presents an eco-innovative system that simultaneously optimizes the structural, optical, and thermal properties, in contrast to traditional translucent concrete that uses Portland cement and virgin optical fibers. Alkali-resistant glass fibers (ARGF), coated and uncoated optical glass fibers (OGF), and crushed glass (0–60%) were included in different amounts in the six mix designs. Extensive tests were performed, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructural analysis, light transmittance, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and flexural strength. The optimum proportion (T3), based on the data obtained, reached a unique synergy between strength, transparency, and thermal insulation with a compressive strength of 35.8 MPa, bending strength of 5.0 MPa, light transmission of 2.2%, and lower thermal conductivity of 0.686 W/m·K. Based on the SEM analysis, early interface degradation was noted on the uncoated fibers, but the fluoropolymer-coated OGF retained robust fiber-to-matrix adhesions. This work is original in the context of the first study that employed a unique combination of recycled glass materials, fluoropolymer-coated fibers, and a metakaolin binder with lower carbon emissions. These data show that TGPC is an alternative material suitable for ecologically concerned and energy-efficient daylighting architectural technologies.

References

[1]	Nasr Y, El Zakhem H, Hamami AEA, et al. (2023) Comprehensive review of innovative materials for sustainable buildings' energy performance. Energies 16: 7440. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16217440 doi: 10.3390/en16217440
[2]	Spanodimitriou Y, Ciampi G, Tufano L, et al. (2023) Flexible and lightweight solutions for energy improvement in construction: A literature review. Energies 16: 6637. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186637 doi: 10.3390/en16186637
[3]	Singh N, Colangelo F, Farina I (2023) Sustainable non-conventional concrete 3D printing—A review. Sustainability 15: 10121. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310121 doi: 10.3390/su151310121
[4]	Chiadighikaobi PC, Adegoke MA, Kharun M, et al. (2023) A review of the structural properties of translucent concrete as sustainable material. Open Constr Build Technol J 17: e187483682681192. https://doi.org/10.2174/0118748368268119231003055958 doi: 10.2174/0118748368268119231003055958
[5]	Isah M (2025) Investigating the effects of metakaolin blended with sugarcane bagasse ash and rice husk ash based geopolymer on the engineering properties of geopolymer concrete. Int J Adv Eng Manag 7: 612–637. https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-0701612637 doi: 10.35629/5252-0701612637
[6]	Wong LS (2022) Durability performance of geopolymer concrete: A review. Polymers 14: 868. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050868 doi: 10.3390/polym14050868
[7]	Imtiaz L, Rehman SKU, Memon SA, et al. (2020) A review of recent developments and advances in eco-friendly geopolymer concrete. Appl Sci 10: 7838. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217838 doi: 10.3390/app10217838
[8]	Aashaq IM, Zia ul Haq M (2024) A sustainable approach to geopolymer concrete utilizing waste materials including plastic waste. AIP Conf Proc 3050: 030005. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0196296 doi: 10.1063/5.0196296
[9]	Shaikh KS, Pachkar SS, Khan SA, et al. (2025) An experimental approach on the influence of addition of metakaolin on the properties of geopolymer concrete. Int J Innov Eng Res Technol 12: 1–10. https://doi.org/10.26662/ijiert.v12i6.pp1-10 doi: 10.26662/ijiert.v12i6.pp1-10
[10]	Zhang S, Li Z, Ghiassi B, et al. (2021) Fracture properties and microstructure formation of hardened alkali-activated slag/fly ash pastes. Cem Concr Res 144: 106447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106447 doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106447
[11]	Siddika A, Hajimohammadi A, Mamun MAA, et al. (2021) Waste glass in cement and geopolymer concretes: A review on durability and challenges. Polymers 13: 2071. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13132071 doi: 10.3390/polym13132071
[12]	Hamada H, Alattar A, Tayeh B, et al. (2022) Effect of recycled waste glass on the properties of high-performance concrete: A critical review. Case Stud Constr Mater 17: e01149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01149 doi: 10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01149
[13]	Ling TC, Poon CS, Kou SC (2012) Influence of recycled glass content and curing conditions on the properties of self-compacting concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures. Cem Concr Compos 34: 265–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.08.010 doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.08.010
[14]	Yusuf MO (2023) Bond characterization in cementitious material binders using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Appl Sci 13: 3353. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053353 doi: 10.3390/app13053353
[15]	ASTM International (2023) Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM C39/C39M-23. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0039_C0039M-23 doi: 10.1520/C0039_C0039M-23
[16]	ASTM International (2022) Standard test method for flexural strength of concrete (using simple beam with third-point loading). ASTM C78/C78M-22. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0078_C0078M-22 doi: 10.1520/C0078_C0078M-22
[17]	ASTM International (2023) Standard test method for steady-state heat flux measurements and thermal transmission properties by means of the guarded-hot-plate apparatus. ASTM C177-23. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0177-23 doi: 10.1520/C0177-23
[18]	Ajayi B, Babafemi A (2024) Effects of waste plastic and glass aggregates on the strength properties of ambient-cured one-part metakaolin-based geopolymer concrete. Appl Sci 14: 1856. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14051856 doi: 10.3390/app14051856
[19]	Mehta S, Bhandari M (2021) Effect of glass fiber and recycled aggregates on geopolymer concrete. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci 889: 012038. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/889/1/012038 doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/889/1/012038
[20]	Qaidi S, Najm HM, Abed SM, et al. (2022) Concrete containing waste glass as an environmentally friendly aggregate: A review on fresh and mechanical characteristics. Materials 15: 6222. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15186222 doi: 10.3390/ma15186222
[21]	Srikrishna TC, Noolu V, Reddy BSK, et al. (2025) Investigations on mechanical and stress–strain characteristics of geopolymer concrete reinforced with glass fibers. Sci Rep 15: 6335. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90752-3 doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-90752-3
[22]	Sharma U, Gupta N, Bahrami A, et al. (2024) Behavior of fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites: A review. Buildings 14: 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010136 doi: 10.3390/buildings14010136

Reader Comments

Your name:*

Email:*
© 2026 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)