Comparative Non-Linear Analysis of High-Rise Structure with Geopolymer Concrete and Conventional Concrete in High Seismic Zone

Abstract

In earthquake-stricken areas, the high rise buildings are rapidly appearing, and sustainable and structurally resilient construction materials are required. Although the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete is widely used, it is being challenged due to its high carbon emissions and brittle behaviour under severe seismic loading. The fly ash based geopolymer concrete (FAGPC) is an alternative green concrete with good mechanical properties, but the nonlinear seismic response of this concrete type still needs to be studied. In this study, the seismic performance of a G+20 reinforced concrete structure built using M60 grade conventional concrete and fly ash geopolymer concrete are compared. Accurate numerical modeling of material properties is created in ETABS through experimentation. To compare the seismic response of both the building models in terms of base shear, inter-storey drift, roof displacement and plastic hinge formation, nonlinear dynamic time history analysis is performed. The goal of the study is to evaluate the structural behavior and seismic resistance of FAGPC, and to provide a relationship between the material properties measured in a laboratory setting and actual structural performance under seismic conditions in high seismic zones. The results should prove the feasibility of FAGPC as a realistic and reliable material in the future construction of tall buildings.

Introduction

This study investigates the nonlinear seismic performance of a G+20 high-rise reinforced concrete building constructed with M60 fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FAGPC) and compares it with a conventional concrete building under earthquake loading.

Introduction

• Conventional concrete is widely used in high-rise buildings but has drawbacks such as high carbon emissions and brittle behavior during strong earthquakes.
• Fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FAGPC) is a sustainable alternative with lower environmental impact, good strength, and durability.
• However, its nonlinear seismic behavior in high-rise structures has not been thoroughly investigated.
• The study aims to compare the seismic performance of FAGPC and conventional concrete using ETABS nonlinear time-history analysis following IS 1893 (Part 1): 2016.

Research Gap

• Existing research mainly focuses on the material properties and durability of geopolymer concrete.
• Limited studies evaluate its nonlinear seismic response, including base shear, inter-storey drift, ductility, energy dissipation, and plastic hinge formation in high-rise buildings.

Methodology

• Prepared M60 grade 100% fly ash-based geopolymer concrete and experimentally determined its mechanical properties.
• Developed two identical G+20 ETABS models (one with conventional concrete and one with FAGPC).
• Applied dead, live, and seismic loads according to Indian standards.
• Assigned FEMA 356/ASCE 41 plastic hinges for nonlinear behavior.
• Performed nonlinear time-history analysis using the Bhuj earthquake record.
• Compared seismic response parameters such as base shear, roof displacement, inter-storey drift, and plastic hinge formation.

Mechanical Properties

• Geopolymer concrete achieved mechanical properties close to conventional concrete:
  • 28-day compressive strength: 67.85 MPa (GPC) vs. 69.18 MPa (CC)
  • Split tensile strength: 4.83 MPa (GPC) vs. 5.08 MPa (CC)
  • Flexural strength: 6.9 MPa (GPC) vs. 7.0 MPa (CC)
  • Shear strength: 7.5 MPa (GPC) vs. 7.6 MPa (CC)

Results

Key Findings

• Both buildings exhibited identical base shear capacity (9593 kN).
• The geopolymer concrete building showed:
  • 7.92% higher roof displacement.
  • 8.06% higher inter-storey drift.
• Plastic hinge formation was almost identical in both structures, indicating similar nonlinear behavior.
• Overall, fly ash-based geopolymer concrete demonstrated seismic performance comparable to conventional concrete, suggesting it is a viable and environmentally sustainable alternative for high-rise buildings in seismic regions.

Conclusion

The nonlinear time-history analysis shows that the fly ash geopolymer concrete (100% fly ash) exhibits a seismic performance similar to that of the conventional M60 concrete. While the inter-storey drift and roof displacement at the top of the building were around 8% higher for the geopolymer concrete building, it was due to the relatively lower elastic modulus of the geopolymer concrete rather than resulting in a reduction in structural performance. The base shear and plastic hinge distributions were very similar in both buildings with all of the hinges in the Immediate Occupancy performance level. The obtained findings suggest that geopolymer concrete has an acceptable strength, good ductility, and stable non-linear response during severe earthquake loads. Geopolymer Concrete has many environmental advantages, using industrial by-products and reducing the use of Portland cement, and is a potential and sustainable concrete that can be used in the construction of earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structures in the future.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Ganesh Jagannath Ghevade, V. M. Bogar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.