Low-Carbon and Geopolymer Concrete: A Detailed Literature Review

The construction sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the production of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Recent research has focused on sustainable alternatives such as low-carbon concrete and geopolymer concrete (GPC). This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of these materials, focusing on their composition, environmental benefits, mechanical properties, durability, and challenges. Findings from the literature indicate that geopolymer concrete, produced using industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag, significantly reduces CO₂ emissions while achieving comparable or superior performance to conventional concrete. However, challenges such as lack of standardization, variability of raw materials, and scalability issues limit widespread adoption.