On January 22, 2026, Professor Guohao Fang’s research group published a research paper titled “Multiscale characterization of microstructure and micromechanical properties of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC)” in the journal Construction and Building Materials (JCR Q1). This study systematically revealed the relationship between microstructural evolution, interfacial characteristics, and mechanical properties of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC), providing a theoretical basis and technical pathway for the development of next-generation green building materials with both ultra-high performance and low-carbon advantages. Professor Guohao Fang is the corresponding author, and Shenzhen University is the first affiliation.

This study systematically investigated the precursor composition of UHPGC and the dosage of steel fibers, focusing on the effects of the slag/silica fume ratio (GGBS/SF) and steel fiber volume fraction on the workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure of UHPGC. Multiscale characterization techniques, including X-ray computed tomography (XCT), backscattered electron microscopy (BSEM), and nanoindentation, were employed to reveal the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical performance of UHPGC. The results show that UHPGC with 1.5%–2.0% steel fiber and a GGBS/SF ratio of 0.8/0.2 achieved optimal mechanical performance with a compressive strength of 157.9 MPa and a tensile strength of 9.3 MPa, accompanied by pronounced strain-hardening behavior. Compared with conventional UHPC, UHPGC can reduce carbon emissions by 18%–53%. This study elucidates the synergistic mechanisms among gel evolution, pore structure refinement, and fiber–matrix interfacial behavior, providing a new approach for developing next-generation high-performance and low-carbon geopolymer composites.

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Low-carbon Construction Material and Technology.

The original article can be found at:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145311

Fig.1. Ultra-high performance geopolymer composites.