Effect of curing condition on mechanical properties and durability of alkali-activated slag mortar

Chen Liu, Haoming Wu, Zhenming Li*, Hu Shi, Guang Ye*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

While alkali-activated slag (AAS) has emerged as a promising alternative binder in construction engineering, a consensus on the optimal curing condition for this material has not been reached yet. It is well known that AAS can harden at ambient temperatures, but the influence of humidity on its properties remains poorly understood. Herein, we considered five curing conditions with different relative humidities (RH), including ambient/dry condition (RH=55 %), sealed condition (RH=80–95 %), fog condition (RH>95 %), water immersion condition (RH=100 %), and saturated limewater immersion condition (RH=100 %). Various properties have been examined, including flexural and compressive strengths, elastic modulus, shrinkage, pore structure, carbonation resistance, and freeze-thaw resistance of AAS mortars (AASM). Two types of activators, sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate (modulus at 1) solutions were used. The experimental results indicate that drying at early ages is detrimental to almost all the properties investigated. Sealed curing can deliver desirable mechanical properties and durability, but considerable shrinkage. Fog and water curings are highly effective at mitigating early shrinkage in AASM, but the problem of leaching adversely affects its long-term properties. Generally, limewater curing offers limited benefits compared to other high-humidity curing methods.

Original languageEnglish
Article number137376
Number of pages14
JournalConstruction and Building Materials
Volume439
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Alkali-activated slag
  • Carbonation
  • Curing
  • Elastic modulus
  • Freeze and thaw
  • Shrinkage

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