The strength oriented mix design for geopolymer concrete using Taguchi method and Indian concrete mix design code

•Strength oriented mix design is developed for geopolymer concrete.•The mix proportions are optimized for desired strength or grade of concrete.•A novel combination of the IS: 10262-2019 and the Taguchi method is proposed.•The optimized mix design of GPC is evaluated by experimental evaluation.•The influential mix design parameters are studied and optimized.•Effect of significant parameters and variables on the strength properties is analysed.•The optimum proportions are suggested for desired strength properties of the mix. This paper represents the mix design of geopolymer concrete based on the target strength criteria by optimizing the proportions of the constituents using Taguchi method. The guidelines of IS:10262–2019 were followed for the mix design. The GPC contains a broader range of constituents. Therefore, numerous trial mixes are required to obtain the mix for the best strength of the GPC mix. Moreover, the conventional mix design of GPC does not target the strength. In this study, the mix design based on the strength criterion is proposed and optimized by the Taguchi method, considering all primary constituents and their proportions. The tests for workability, compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength were included. The test results showed excellent agreement with the target strength values. The study encouraged the development of the strength-based mix design of GPC as per the code and optimized by the Taguchi method, avoiding enormous trials and approximations for the mix design of GPC.