Alkali-activated slag mortars: Mechanical strength behaviour

• Published in: Cement and concrete research 1999, Vol.29 (8), p.1313-1321
• Main Authors: Fernández-Jiménez, A., Palomo, J.G., Puertas, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkali-activated cement; Applied sciences; BLAST FURNACES; Buildings. Public works; CEMENTS; COMPRESSION STRENGTH; Concretes. Mortars. Grouts; ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; Exact sciences and technology; FLEXURAL STRENGTH; Granulated blast furnace slag; Materials; MATERIALS SCIENCE; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; Mechanical properties; Modeling; PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS; Properties and performance tests of mortar and hardened concrete; SLAGS; WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
• ISSN: 0008-8846; 1873-3948
• DOI: 10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00154-4

The objective of the present work is to know the joint influence of a series of factors (specific surface of the slag, curing temperature, activator concentration, and the nature of the alkaline activator) on the development of mechanical strengths in alkaline-activated slag cement mortars. To reach this aim, a factorial experimental design was carried out (a complete 2 3 × 3 1 design) for every age studied (3 to 180 days). Through the variance analysis, the most significant factor on the response turned out to be the alkaline activator nature. The activator used, Na 2SiO 3 · nH 2O + NaOH, was the factor that gave the highest mechanical strengths in all tests. The next most statistically significant factor was the activator concentration, followed by curing temperature, and, finally, the specific surface of the slag. The equations of the model describing the mechanical behaviour for flexural and compressive strengths and their relationships for each age studied were established