The Production of Geopolymer Concrete in Iraq Using Raw Local Materials

2026-09-07T07:07:16+00:00

Geopolymer concrete is an emerging construction technology in Iraq, and further research is needed to assess its technical performance, economic feasibility, environmental benefits, and long-term durability. Such investigations are essential to determine its suitability as a sustainable alternative to conventional Portland cement concrete and to support its potential adoption in Iraq’s construction sector. This study investigates the feasibility of producing geopolymer concrete using locally sourced Iraqi fly ash and imported fly ash as aluminosilicate precursors. Locally available attapulgite clay was also investigated as a geopolymer precursor and pozzolanic material following thermal treatment. The experimental program examined the compressive strength and workability of the geopolymer concrete mixtures, as well as the influence of different curing methods. Three curing conditions were investigated: water immersion, oven curing at 60°C, and outdoor ambient curing. The results demonstrated that geopolymer concrete could be produced using locally sourced Iraqi fly ash, despite the imported fly ash exhibiting a higher content of certain chemical constituents. The mixture incorporating high-reactive attapulgite achieved the highest compressive strength among the mixtures investigated. Curing conditions had a significant influence on strength development, with oven curing at 60°C producing the highest compressive strength, while water-immersion curing resulted in the lowest strength. In terms of workability, the imported fly ash mixture exhibited the highest slump compared with the local fly ash and attapulgite mixtures. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of locally available Iraqi materials for geopolymer concrete production and provide a basis for further research into their application as a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete materials in Iraq.

Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering

The Production of Geopolymer Concrete in Iraq Using Raw Local Materials