The construction industry aims to cut its environmental footprint without compromising material strength. One answer is fly ash‑based geopolymer concrete (GPC), which emits far less CO₂ than traditional cement. The challenge lies in accurately predicting GPC’s flexural strength, which depends on factors like ash content and alkaline activator type.
Researchers have merged two cutting‑edge technologies: Gene Expression Programming (GEP), an AI algorithm that uncovers hidden variable relationships, and blockchain, which stores data immutably and transparently. Their result, the B‑GEPF framework, examines how the silica modulus of activators (a measure of their composition) affects flexural strength.
Tests showed that raising activator concentration (8 M NaOH with sodium silicate) boosts strength, while fly ash improves workability and lowers heat of hydration, preserving long‑term strength through secondary reactions. Blockchain ensures every experiment is traceable and verifiable, easing certification and collaboration among producers, engineers, and regulators.
In practice, B‑GEPF speeds up the search for optimal mixes, guaranteeing reliability and industrial scalability. The blend of predictive AI and blockchain promises a future where building materials are both eco‑friendly and digitally certified, paving the way for more resilient, sustainable infrastructure.
