Simultaneous effect of alkali activator and water/slag cement ratios on composites properties by full replacement of Portland cement

Abstract

This paper presents the simultaneous effect of alkali activator and water/slag cement ratios on composites properties by full replacement of Portland cement at different ages under steam curing condition. Twelve mortar composites divided into four different groups were prepared using municipal slag cement and alkali activator of sodium meta-silicate by varying the ratios of alkali activator/slag cement and water/slag cement. The results revealed that the addition of municipal slag cement by full replacement of Portland cement was largely worthwhile for slag mortar composites under steam curing condition. The preparation of the mortars by taking various ratios of alkali activator/slag cement and water/slag cement contributed significantly in improving the compressive strength with an acceptable drying shrinkage to slag composites. Scanning electron microscopic technique was used to analyze the microstructure of slag composites at different ages. The ACI 209 and EC 2 design equations were used to predict the compressive strength.

Optimization of Alkali-Activated Municipal Slag Composite Performance by Substituting Varying Ratios of Fly Ash for Fine Aggregate

“…The atomic Si/Al ratio in the reaction products increased in tandem with the increase in sodium silicate SiO 2 /Na 2 O mass ratio. Again, the fly ash/slag ratio was the most significant issue in strength development [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

“…Comparatively few investigations have been conducted up to now on the usage of blended slag cement with fly ash activated in alkali as an alternative to Portland cement [ 39 , 40 ]. M. A. Wafa and K. Fukuzawa [ 39 ] conducted an extensive experimental investigation into the simultaneous effect of alkali activator and water/slag cement ratios on composite properties through the full replacement of Portland cement at various ages under steam curing conditions.…”

“…Comparatively few investigations have been conducted up to now on the usage of blended slag cement with fly ash activated in alkali as an alternative to Portland cement [ 39 , 40 ]. M. A. Wafa and K. Fukuzawa [ 39 ] conducted an extensive experimental investigation into the simultaneous effect of alkali activator and water/slag cement ratios on composite properties through the full replacement of Portland cement at various ages under steam curing conditions. It was observed that the inclusion of a higher concentration ratio of alkali activator/slag cement (AL/SL) and a lower ratio of water/slag cement (W/SL) revealed a higher compressive strength of slag mortar composites under steam curing conditions for both early and late ages.…”