Microwave-curing and mechanical grinding of fly ash have both beenadopted as effective methods for improving the early-age strength of alkali-activated fly ash(AAFA)binders.This study combined these two approaches by ...Microwave-curing and mechanical grinding of fly ash have both beenadopted as effective methods for improving the early-age strength of alkali-activated fly ash(AAFA)binders.This study combined these two approaches by synthesizing AAFA using original,medium-fine,and ultrafine fly ash as precursors,and then specimens were cured with a five-stage temperature-controlled microwave.The compressive strength results indicate that the original AAFA develops the highest strength initially during microwave-curing,reaching 28 MPa at stage 2.Medium-fine AAFA exhibits the highest strength of 60 MPa when cured to stage 4-I,which is 26%higher than the peak strength of original AAFA.It is attributed to the significant rise in their specific surface area,which accelerates the dissolution of Si and Al from the precursor and facilitates the subsequent formation of N-A-S-H gels.Additionally,nanoscale zeolite crystals formed as secondary products fill the tiny gaps between amorphous products,thereby significantly improving their microstructure.In contrast,ultrafine fly ash,primarily composed of fragmented particles,necessitated a substantial amount of water,which adversely affects the absorption efficiency for microwave of AAFA specimens.Thus,ultrafine AAFA specimens consistently exhibit the lowest compressive strength.Specifically,at the end of curing,the compressive strength of these three specimens with microwave-curing is approximately 32%,59%,and 172%higher than that of the steam-cured sample,respectively.These findings demonstrate the compatibility of microwave-curing and fly ash refinement in enhancing the early compressive strength development of AAFA.展开更多
As the second most important solid waste produced by coal-fired power plants,the improper management of coal-fired slag has the potential to result in environmental pollution.It is therefore imperative that high-value...As the second most important solid waste produced by coal-fired power plants,the improper management of coal-fired slag has the potential to result in environmental pollution.It is therefore imperative that high-value utilization pathways for coal-fired slag should be developed.In this study,modified magnesium slag(MMS),produced by a magnesium smelter,was selected as the alkali activator.The activated silica-aluminum solid wastes,namely coal-fired slag(CFS)and mineral powder(MP),were employed as pozzolanic materials in the preparation of alkali-activated cementitious materials.The alkali-activated cementitious materials prepared with 50 wt%MMS,40 wt%CFS and 10 wt%MP exhibited favorable mechanical properties,with a compressive strength of 32.804 MPa in the paste sample cured for 28 d.Then,the activated silica-aluminum solid waste consisting of CFS-MP generated a significant amount of C-S(A)-H gels,AFt,and other products,which were observed to occupy the pore structure of the specimen.In addition,the secondary hydration reaction of CFS-MP occurs in high alkalinity environments,resulting in the formation of a mutually stimulated and promoted reaction system between CFS-MP and MMS,this will subsequently accelerate the hydrolysis reaction of MMS.It is important to emphasize that the amount of MMS in alkali-activated cementitious materials must be strictly regulated to avert the potential issue of incomplete depolymerization-repolymerization of active silica-aluminum solid waste containing CFS-MP.This in turn could have a deleterious impact on the late strength of the cementitious materials.The aim of this work is to improve the joint disposal of MMS,CFS and MP and thereby provide a scientific basis for the development of environmentally friendly and low-carbon modified magnesium slag alkali-activated coal-fired slag based cementitious materials for mine backfilling.展开更多
The effects of isocyanate(IA)incorporation on the toughness and volume stability of AAFS were systematically investigated.Various IA dosages were introduced into AAFS,and their influence on mechanical properties,micro...The effects of isocyanate(IA)incorporation on the toughness and volume stability of AAFS were systematically investigated.Various IA dosages were introduced into AAFS,and their influence on mechanical properties,microstructure,and shrinkage behavior was evaluated.The experimental results indicate that,with the incorporation of 5%IA,the 28-day compressive strength reaches 48.6 MPa,the 56-day drying shrinkage decreases by 35.91%,and minimal cracking is observed in the ring test.Microstructural analyses using SEM,XRD,and FTIR reveal that IA reacts with water to form urethane and biuret,which crosslinks into a durable network structure.This network fills pores,reducing internal stresses and improving both toughness and volume stability.These findings offer new insights into optimizing alkali-activated materials for construction applications and provide a potential pathway for the development of more durable and stable geopolymers.展开更多
This study evaluates the efficacy of sustainable erosion control using slag-based alkali-activated cement crusts under varying rainfall and wind conditions. The rainfall intensities ranged from 30 mm/h to 120 mm/h, wi...This study evaluates the efficacy of sustainable erosion control using slag-based alkali-activated cement crusts under varying rainfall and wind conditions. The rainfall intensities ranged from 30 mm/h to 120 mm/h, with durations ranging from 15 min to 90 min, and crust slopes of ∼2° (gentle) and 30° (steep). Wind tunnel experiments were conducted at wind velocities of 14 m/s, 21 m/s, and 28 m/s to investigate post-rainfall wind erodibility, along with changes in crust strength and microstructure analysis. The findings show the development of hydrated cementitious phases in alkali-activated material, which form around and between the particles during the alkaline activation process. Alkali-activated cement crusts significantly reduced erosion caused by rainfall and subsequent wind by several orders of magnitude. At the highest rainfall intensity of 120 mm/h, rainfall erosion was measured to be 1654.81 kg/m2 for untreated samples and 0.89 kg/m2 for treated samples, demonstrating a substantial 99.95% reduction in erosion due to the treatment. Similarly, at the highest wind speed tested, wind erosion was 122.75 kg/m2 for untreated samples and 0.095 kg/m2 for treated samples, indicating a significant 99.92% reduction in erosion due to the formation of an alkali-activated cement crust on the soil surface. However, exposure of the samples to 120 mm/h rainfall for 90 min resulted in a 5.2-fold increase in wind erosion compared to pre-rainfall conditions. Similarly, penetrometer results indicated a 37%–54% reduction in post-rainfall surface strength.展开更多
A solid,fast-dissolving sodium silicate was used as an alkaline activator.Granulated blast furnace slag(GGBS),metakaolin(MK),and steel slag(SS)were used as the cementious components to prepare a ternary composite ceme...A solid,fast-dissolving sodium silicate was used as an alkaline activator.Granulated blast furnace slag(GGBS),metakaolin(MK),and steel slag(SS)were used as the cementious components to prepare a ternary composite cementitious material known as alkali-activated steel slag composite cementitious material(ASCM)by the"one-step method".The impacts of cementitious components,alkali activator modulus,and Na_(2)O%on the mechanical strength were investigated,and the hydration products and hydration kinetics of ASCM were analyzed.The experimental results reveal that XRD,FTIR,SEM,EDS,and exothermic heat of hydration show that when GGBS:MK:SS=60wt%:10wt%:30wt%,the activator modulus is 1.2,and the alkali content is 5.5wt%,the 28 d flexural strength of ASCM mortar is 12.6 MPa,and the compressive strength is 53.3 MPa,the hydration products consist of C-S-H gel/C-A-S-H gel,mullite(3Al_(2)O_(3)-2SiO_(2)),calcite(CaCO_(3)),quartz,etc.ASCM has a large initial hydration exotherm rate but a small cumulative exotherm.展开更多
China is the largest producer and user of ordinary Portland cement(OPC),and the rapid growth of infrastructure development demands more sustainable building materials for concrete structures.Alkali-activated materials...China is the largest producer and user of ordinary Portland cement(OPC),and the rapid growth of infrastructure development demands more sustainable building materials for concrete structures.Alkali-activated materials(AAMs)are a new type of energy-saving and environmentally friendly building material with a wide range of potential applications.This paper compares the durability of AAMs and 0 PC-based materials un der sulfate attack,acid corrosion,carb on ation,and chloride penetratio n.Different AAMs have shown distinct durability properties due to different compositions being formed when different raw materials are used.According to the calcium(Ca)concentration of the raw materials,this paper interprets the deterioration mechanisms of three categories of AAMs:calcium-free,low-calcium,and calcium-rich.Conflicts found in the most recent research are highlighted,as they raise concerns regarding the consistenee and long-term properties of AAMs.Nevertheless,AAMs show better durability performances than OPC-based materials in general.展开更多
Lime and Portland cement are the most widely used binders in soil stabilization projects.However,due to the high carbon emission in cement production,research on soil stabilization by the use of more environmentally-f...Lime and Portland cement are the most widely used binders in soil stabilization projects.However,due to the high carbon emission in cement production,research on soil stabilization by the use of more environmentally-friendly binders with lower carbon footprint has attracted much attention in recent years.This research investigated the potential of using alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag(GGBS)and volcanic ash(VA)as green binders in clayey soil stabilization projects,which has not been studied before.The effects of different combinations of VA with GGBS,various liquid/solid ratios,different curing conditions,and different curing periods(i.e.7 d,28 d and 90 d)were investigated.Compressive strength and durability of specimens against wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles were then studied through the use of mechanical and microstructural tests.The results demonstrated that the coexistence of GGBS and VA in geopolymerization process was more effective due to the synergic formation of N-A-S-H and C-(A)-S-H gels.Moreover,although VA needs heat curing to become activated and develop strength,its partial replacement with GGBS made the binder suitable for application at ambient temperature and resulted in a remarkably superior resistance against wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles.The carbon embodied of the mixtures was also evaluated,and the results confirmed the low carbon footprints of the alkali-activated mixtures.Finally,it was concluded that the alkali-activated GGBS/VA could be promisingly used in clayey soil stabilization projects instead of conventional binders.展开更多
Alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) is a new green building material. The amount of CO_(2) produced by AASC is 1/5th of that produced by ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC). In addition, AASC promotes the reuse...Alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) is a new green building material. The amount of CO_(2) produced by AASC is 1/5th of that produced by ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC). In addition, AASC promotes the reuse of slag and other wastes and saves resources. Furthermore, the scope of use of slag has been expanded. The progress of the research on the hydration characteristics, microstructure, interfacial transition zone, and pore structure of AASC based on the relevant literatures was analyzed and summarized in this study. The influences of the slag composition, the type and dosage of the alkali activator, and the curing conditions on the hydration characteristics and the microstructure of the AASC were discussed. Relatively few research results on the microstructure of AASC are available, and the relevant conclusions are not completely consistent. Moreover, there are many constraints on the development of AASC (e.g., complex composition of raw materials of slag, large shrinkage deformation, and low fluidity). Therefore, further research is required.展开更多
The time-dependent rheological behaviors of alkali-activated cement(AAC)are expected to be precisely controlled,in order to meet the requirements of modern engineering practices.In this paper,the effects of activator,...The time-dependent rheological behaviors of alkali-activated cement(AAC)are expected to be precisely controlled,in order to meet the requirements of modern engineering practices.In this paper,the effects of activator,including the Na_(2)O concentration and SiO_(2)/Na_(2)O(S/N)molar ratio,on the rheological behavior of alkali-activated slag fly ash pastes were investigated.The small amplitude oscillatory shear(SAOS)and shear test were used to evaluate the structural build-up and flowability of pastes.Besides,zeta potential measurement,calorimetric test and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)were carried out to reveal the physico-chemical mechanisms behind the rheological evolution of fresh pastes.It was found that high Na_(2)O concentration and low S/N molar ratio improved the flowability and structural build-up rate of paste.Moreover,the structural build-up of alkali-activated slag-fly ash pastes consists of two stages,which is controlled by the dissolution of solid reactants and formation of C-(A)-S-H gels,respectively.展开更多
A new type of magnesia modification alkali-activated cement was prepared, the strength, setting time, shrinkage ratio and cracking behavior, as well as the composition and structure of the hydration product were inves...A new type of magnesia modification alkali-activated cement was prepared, the strength, setting time, shrinkage ratio and cracking behavior, as well as the composition and structure of the hydration product were investigated. The results indicate that the setting time of this cement is similar to that of the ordinary commercial cements; its strength reaches the standard of 42.5 degree cement, its cracking resistance has been remarkably improved because of the micro-aggregate effect of fly ash and shrinkage compensating of magnesia.展开更多
In this study, two types of reinforcing steels(conventional low-carbon steel and a novel duplex alloy steel with Cr and Mo) were exposed to chloride-contaminated extract solutions(ordinary Portland cement(OPC) extract...In this study, two types of reinforcing steels(conventional low-carbon steel and a novel duplex alloy steel with Cr and Mo) were exposed to chloride-contaminated extract solutions(ordinary Portland cement(OPC) extract and alkali-activated slag(AAS) extract) to investigate their pitting corrosion resistance. The results confirm that the pitting corrosion resistance of the alloy steel is much higher than that of the low-carbon steel in both extract solutions with various Na Cl concentrations. Moreover, for each type of steel, the AAS extract contributes to a higher pitting corrosion resistance compared with the OPC extract in the presence of chloride ions, likely because of the formation of flocculent precipitates on the steel surface.展开更多
Alkali-activated cement(AAC)is either clinker-less or free,and it is also environmentally friendly due to its low carbon footprint and wide range sources.Industrial wastes,like steel slag and blastfurnace slag,usually...Alkali-activated cement(AAC)is either clinker-less or free,and it is also environmentally friendly due to its low carbon footprint and wide range sources.Industrial wastes,like steel slag and blastfurnace slag,usually have latent hydraulic reactivity,and can be used as precursors of AAC.Both clinkerless and clinker-free AAC were prepared from the mixture of steel slag and blastfurnace slag by using water glass as an activator,and four different recipes which satisfied the strength requirement of 42.5R Portland cement were obtained.Each recipe of AAC exhibited better resistance to sulfate attack and frost attack than Portland cement.AAC showed huge drying shrinkage,but it was equivalent to that of Portland cement as steel slag content increased to 40%.The AAC also had quite low risk of alkali-aggregate reaction.Microstructure analysis showed that the major products were calcium silicate hydrate(C–S–H),calcium aluminosilicate hydrate(C–A–S–H)and zeolite-like phases.Ettringite was also detected in the binder when gypsum was contained in the precursors.展开更多
The effects of unoiled polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)fiber with four different volume fractions of 0%,1.0%,1.5%and 2.0%on the bending properties of alkali-activated slag(AAS)mortar plates were studied.Meanwhile,the acoustic e...The effects of unoiled polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)fiber with four different volume fractions of 0%,1.0%,1.5%and 2.0%on the bending properties of alkali-activated slag(AAS)mortar plates were studied.Meanwhile,the acoustic emission(AE)technique and a high-speed camera were utilized to detect the crack development over the complete damage process,and the scanning electronic microscopy(SEM)was used to observe the fiber-matrix interface.Test results show that PVA fibers play a significant role in the toughness improvement of AAS plates.However,the enhancing effect of PVA fibers on the bending behaviour of AAS plates at 120 d is not as remarkable as at early ages.It is observed that the failure process of the PVA fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag plate can be divided into three stages:elastic stage,main crack formation stage and post-peak load stage.Observations on the fracture surface of specimens indicate that the deterioration process of specimens under bending changed from fiber pull-out at 3 and 28 d to fiber fracture at 120 d.展开更多
To provide basic data for the reasonable mixing design of the alkali-activated (AA) foamed concrete as a thermal insulation material for a floor heating system, 9 concrete mixes with a targeted dry density less than 4...To provide basic data for the reasonable mixing design of the alkali-activated (AA) foamed concrete as a thermal insulation material for a floor heating system, 9 concrete mixes with a targeted dry density less than 400 kg/m3 were tested. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as a source material was activated by the following two types of alkali activators: 10% Ca(OH)2 and 4% Mg(NO3)2, and 2.5% Ca(OH)2 and 6.5% Na2SiO3. The main test parameters were water-to-binder (W/B) ratio and the substitution level (RFA) of fly ash (FA) for GGBS. Test results revealed that the dry density of AA GGBS foamed concrete was independent of the W/B ratio an RFA, whereas the compressive strength increased with the decrease in W/B ratio and with the increase in RFA up to 15%, beyond which it decreased. With the increase in the W/B ratio, the amount of macro capillaries and artificial air pores increased, which resulted in the decrease of compressive strength. The magnitude of the environmental loads of the AA GGBS foamed concrete is independent of the W/B ratio and RFA. The largest reduction percentage was found in the photochemical oxidation potential, being more than 99%. The reduction percentage was 87% - 93% for the global warming potential, 81% - 84% for abiotic depletion, 79% - 84% for acidification potential, 77% - 85% for eutrophication potential, and 73% - 83% for human toxicity potential. Ultimately, this study proved that the developed AA GGBS foamed concrete has a considerable promise as a sustainable construction material for nonstructural element.展开更多
The main reaction products were investigated by analysis of microstructure of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag （GGBFS） paste. An experimental research was performed on bond performance of alkali...The main reaction products were investigated by analysis of microstructure of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag （GGBFS） paste. An experimental research was performed on bond performance of alkali-activated GGBFS paste as a construction adhesive after exposure to 20-500℃. Through XRD analysis, a few calcium silicate hydrate, hydrotalcite and tetracalcium aluminate hydrate were determined as end products, and they were filled and packed each other at room temperature. In addition, akermanite dramatically increased at 800 ~C and above. The two key parameters, the ultimate load Pu.T and effective bond length Le, were determined using test data of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer （CFRP）-to-concrete bonded joints at elevated temperature. The experimental results indicate that the ultimate load Pu.T remains relatively stable initially and then decreases with increasing temperature. The effective bond length Le increases with increasing temperature except at 300℃. The proposed temperature-dependent effective bond length formula is shown to closely represent the test data.展开更多
The effect of magnesia bumt at 800-950℃ on the properties, especially the shrinkage, of alkali-activated slag cement （AASC.） was experimentally studied. Experimental results show that, although adding 4%-8% lightly...The effect of magnesia bumt at 800-950℃ on the properties, especially the shrinkage, of alkali-activated slag cement （AASC.） was experimentally studied. Experimental results show that, although adding 4%-8% lightly-burnt magnesia may shorten the setting time and slightly reduce the compressive strength of AASC, it c, an remarkably reduce the shrinkage of AASC. The results also show that the setting time of AASC with a certain amount of magnesia increases with the buming temperature, and that the flexural and compressive strengths of AASC decrease with the increase of the additive amount of magnesia. Generally, the adverse effect of magnesia decreases with the increase of the burning temperature：, and the shrinkage-reducing effect of magnesia increases with the additive amount of magnesia. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） analyses show that some magnesia particles in the hardened AASC paste at a 28-d age remained unhydrated, and that the compactness decreased a little as magnesia was added. We can also conclude that magnesia bumt at 850-950℃ can be used to reduce the shrinkage of AASC only when its additive amount does not exceed 8%; otherwise, the setting time may be too short, and the flexural and compressive strengths may severely decrease.展开更多
The unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of alkali-activated slag(AAS)-based cemented paste backfill(CPB)is influenced by multiple design parameters.However,the experimental methods are limited to understanding the rel...The unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of alkali-activated slag(AAS)-based cemented paste backfill(CPB)is influenced by multiple design parameters.However,the experimental methods are limited to understanding the relationships between a single design parameter and the UCS,independently of each other.Although machine learning(ML)methods have proven efficient in understanding relationships between multiple parameters and the UCS of ordinary Portland cement(OPC)-based CPB,there is a lack of ML research on AAS-based CPB.In this study,two ensemble ML methods,comprising gradient boosting regression(GBR)and random forest(RF),were built on a dataset collected from literature alongside two other single ML methods,support vector regression(SVR)and artificial neural network(ANN).The results revealed that the ensemble learning methods outperformed the single learning methods in predicting the UCS of AAS-based CPB.Relative importance analysis based on the bestperforming model(GBR)indicated that curing time and water-to-binder ratio were the most critical input parameters in the model.Finally,the GBR model with the highest accuracy was proposed for the UCS predictions of AAS-based CPB.展开更多
To explore the distribution of and the mechanical properties(compressive strength)of the hardened body of alkali slag-fly ash cementitious materials,this study was conducted by using the XRD,FTIR,SEM/EDS,and other tes...To explore the distribution of and the mechanical properties(compressive strength)of the hardened body of alkali slag-fly ash cementitious materials,this study was conducted by using the XRD,FTIR,SEM/EDS,and other test methods in three conditions:airtight drying(AD),airtight immersion(AI),and airtight soaking(AS).The 1D distribution law of free of hardened body under standard curing conditions was explored.The experimental results show that under standard curing conditions,the 1D distribution of within 0d-3 d shows a∨-shaped distribution,within 3-7 d show a∧-shaped distribution,and within 7-28 d tends to be balanced.The test results of leaching rate show that the free was the most stable under AD conditions and the hardened body bound the most by XRD,FTIR and SEM/EDS.And the compressive strength of the hardened body was the highest.The compressive strength of 28th reached 95.9 MPa.The definite distribution of provides an important reference for the strength development and durability evaluation of the hardened body of alkaliexcited cementitious materials.展开更多
In this paper,the influence of NaCl freeze-thaw(F-T)cycles and dry-wet(D-W)alternations on theflexural,com-pressive and bonding strengths of alkali-activatedfly ash(FA)and a blast furnace slag powder(BFS)is investi-gated...In this paper,the influence of NaCl freeze-thaw(F-T)cycles and dry-wet(D-W)alternations on theflexural,com-pressive and bonding strengths of alkali-activatedfly ash(FA)and a blast furnace slag powder(BFS)is investi-gated.The considered NaCl concentration is 3%.The effect of polypropylenefibers on the mechanical strengths is also examined.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),thermogravimetry(TG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)are selected to discern the mechanisms underpinning the NaCl-induced erosion.The obtained results indicate that the best results in terms of material resistance are obtained with admixtures containing 60%BFS and 40%FA in terms of mass ratio and 3%polypropylenefibers in terms of volume ratio.The maximum rates of decrease of theflexural,compressive and bonding strengths after 300 NaCl F-T cycles are 21.5%,20.3%and 22.6%,respec-tively.The corresponding rates of decrease due to NaCl D-W alternations are 28.1%,26.1%and 31.5%,respec-tively.The TG curves show that the alkali-activating activity of BFS is higher than that of FA.Moreover,in thefirst case,the microstructure of the hydration products is more compact.The results also show that NaCl F-T cycles lead to increasing cracks in the alkali-activated BFS.展开更多
The paper investigates the second-order interactions of parameters in an alkali-activated mixture of paper production waste(PPW)and blast furnace slag(BFS)in Taguchi method.The PPW including lime mud(LM)and paper slud...The paper investigates the second-order interactions of parameters in an alkali-activated mixture of paper production waste(PPW)and blast furnace slag(BFS)in Taguchi method.The PPW including lime mud(LM)and paper sludge(PS).This paper provides the experimental models to assess the compressive and flexural strength of them at 7-day and 28-day.The results have shown that the second-order interactions between PPW and alkali-activated activator exists in each experimental model,and the significant interactions affect the selection of optimal compositions.Compared with the interactions between the PPW themselves,the interactions between PPW and alkali-activated parameters are the main significant factors affecting its physical properties.In each experimental model,the maximum compressive strength was 47.41 MPa in 7-day and 65.64 MPa in 28-day.Compared with the confirmatory experiments,the deviation of prediction calculated by experimental models was 3.08%and 0.56%,respectively.The maximum flexural strength was 5.74 MPa in 7-day and 5.96 MPa in 28-day;compared with the confirmatory experiments,the deviation of prediction calculated by experimental models was 5.40%and 0.17%.Considering the influence of circular materials,30%of PPW should be a suitable ratio to replace BFS as the raw material of alkali-activated slag(AAS).展开更多
文摘Microwave-curing and mechanical grinding of fly ash have both beenadopted as effective methods for improving the early-age strength of alkali-activated fly ash(AAFA)binders.This study combined these two approaches by synthesizing AAFA using original,medium-fine,and ultrafine fly ash as precursors,and then specimens were cured with a five-stage temperature-controlled microwave.The compressive strength results indicate that the original AAFA develops the highest strength initially during microwave-curing,reaching 28 MPa at stage 2.Medium-fine AAFA exhibits the highest strength of 60 MPa when cured to stage 4-I,which is 26%higher than the peak strength of original AAFA.It is attributed to the significant rise in their specific surface area,which accelerates the dissolution of Si and Al from the precursor and facilitates the subsequent formation of N-A-S-H gels.Additionally,nanoscale zeolite crystals formed as secondary products fill the tiny gaps between amorphous products,thereby significantly improving their microstructure.In contrast,ultrafine fly ash,primarily composed of fragmented particles,necessitated a substantial amount of water,which adversely affects the absorption efficiency for microwave of AAFA specimens.Thus,ultrafine AAFA specimens consistently exhibit the lowest compressive strength.Specifically,at the end of curing,the compressive strength of these three specimens with microwave-curing is approximately 32%,59%,and 172%higher than that of the steam-cured sample,respectively.These findings demonstrate the compatibility of microwave-curing and fly ash refinement in enhancing the early compressive strength development of AAFA.
基金Projects(52222404,52074212)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2023-LL-QY-07)supported by the Two-chain Integration Key Projects in Shaanxi Province,China。
文摘As the second most important solid waste produced by coal-fired power plants,the improper management of coal-fired slag has the potential to result in environmental pollution.It is therefore imperative that high-value utilization pathways for coal-fired slag should be developed.In this study,modified magnesium slag(MMS),produced by a magnesium smelter,was selected as the alkali activator.The activated silica-aluminum solid wastes,namely coal-fired slag(CFS)and mineral powder(MP),were employed as pozzolanic materials in the preparation of alkali-activated cementitious materials.The alkali-activated cementitious materials prepared with 50 wt%MMS,40 wt%CFS and 10 wt%MP exhibited favorable mechanical properties,with a compressive strength of 32.804 MPa in the paste sample cured for 28 d.Then,the activated silica-aluminum solid waste consisting of CFS-MP generated a significant amount of C-S(A)-H gels,AFt,and other products,which were observed to occupy the pore structure of the specimen.In addition,the secondary hydration reaction of CFS-MP occurs in high alkalinity environments,resulting in the formation of a mutually stimulated and promoted reaction system between CFS-MP and MMS,this will subsequently accelerate the hydrolysis reaction of MMS.It is important to emphasize that the amount of MMS in alkali-activated cementitious materials must be strictly regulated to avert the potential issue of incomplete depolymerization-repolymerization of active silica-aluminum solid waste containing CFS-MP.This in turn could have a deleterious impact on the late strength of the cementitious materials.The aim of this work is to improve the joint disposal of MMS,CFS and MP and thereby provide a scientific basis for the development of environmentally friendly and low-carbon modified magnesium slag alkali-activated coal-fired slag based cementitious materials for mine backfilling.
基金Funded by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFC3803400)。
文摘The effects of isocyanate(IA)incorporation on the toughness and volume stability of AAFS were systematically investigated.Various IA dosages were introduced into AAFS,and their influence on mechanical properties,microstructure,and shrinkage behavior was evaluated.The experimental results indicate that,with the incorporation of 5%IA,the 28-day compressive strength reaches 48.6 MPa,the 56-day drying shrinkage decreases by 35.91%,and minimal cracking is observed in the ring test.Microstructural analyses using SEM,XRD,and FTIR reveal that IA reacts with water to form urethane and biuret,which crosslinks into a durable network structure.This network fills pores,reducing internal stresses and improving both toughness and volume stability.These findings offer new insights into optimizing alkali-activated materials for construction applications and provide a potential pathway for the development of more durable and stable geopolymers.
文摘This study evaluates the efficacy of sustainable erosion control using slag-based alkali-activated cement crusts under varying rainfall and wind conditions. The rainfall intensities ranged from 30 mm/h to 120 mm/h, with durations ranging from 15 min to 90 min, and crust slopes of ∼2° (gentle) and 30° (steep). Wind tunnel experiments were conducted at wind velocities of 14 m/s, 21 m/s, and 28 m/s to investigate post-rainfall wind erodibility, along with changes in crust strength and microstructure analysis. The findings show the development of hydrated cementitious phases in alkali-activated material, which form around and between the particles during the alkaline activation process. Alkali-activated cement crusts significantly reduced erosion caused by rainfall and subsequent wind by several orders of magnitude. At the highest rainfall intensity of 120 mm/h, rainfall erosion was measured to be 1654.81 kg/m2 for untreated samples and 0.89 kg/m2 for treated samples, demonstrating a substantial 99.95% reduction in erosion due to the treatment. Similarly, at the highest wind speed tested, wind erosion was 122.75 kg/m2 for untreated samples and 0.095 kg/m2 for treated samples, indicating a significant 99.92% reduction in erosion due to the formation of an alkali-activated cement crust on the soil surface. However, exposure of the samples to 120 mm/h rainfall for 90 min resulted in a 5.2-fold increase in wind erosion compared to pre-rainfall conditions. Similarly, penetrometer results indicated a 37%–54% reduction in post-rainfall surface strength.
基金Funded by the Scientific Research Program of Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Development(No.20250203184SF)。
文摘A solid,fast-dissolving sodium silicate was used as an alkaline activator.Granulated blast furnace slag(GGBS),metakaolin(MK),and steel slag(SS)were used as the cementious components to prepare a ternary composite cementitious material known as alkali-activated steel slag composite cementitious material(ASCM)by the"one-step method".The impacts of cementitious components,alkali activator modulus,and Na_(2)O%on the mechanical strength were investigated,and the hydration products and hydration kinetics of ASCM were analyzed.The experimental results reveal that XRD,FTIR,SEM,EDS,and exothermic heat of hydration show that when GGBS:MK:SS=60wt%:10wt%:30wt%,the activator modulus is 1.2,and the alkali content is 5.5wt%,the 28 d flexural strength of ASCM mortar is 12.6 MPa,and the compressive strength is 53.3 MPa,the hydration products consist of C-S-H gel/C-A-S-H gel,mullite(3Al_(2)O_(3)-2SiO_(2)),calcite(CaCO_(3)),quartz,etc.ASCM has a large initial hydration exotherm rate but a small cumulative exotherm.
基金Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51778003,51878263,and 51608004)Opening Foundation of State Key Laboratory of High Performance Civil Engineering Materials(2018CEM002)+1 种基金Anhui Provincial Education Department(gxfxZD2016134)Anhui Province Higher Education Revitalization Program([2014]No.11).
文摘China is the largest producer and user of ordinary Portland cement(OPC),and the rapid growth of infrastructure development demands more sustainable building materials for concrete structures.Alkali-activated materials(AAMs)are a new type of energy-saving and environmentally friendly building material with a wide range of potential applications.This paper compares the durability of AAMs and 0 PC-based materials un der sulfate attack,acid corrosion,carb on ation,and chloride penetratio n.Different AAMs have shown distinct durability properties due to different compositions being formed when different raw materials are used.According to the calcium(Ca)concentration of the raw materials,this paper interprets the deterioration mechanisms of three categories of AAMs:calcium-free,low-calcium,and calcium-rich.Conflicts found in the most recent research are highlighted,as they raise concerns regarding the consistenee and long-term properties of AAMs.Nevertheless,AAMs show better durability performances than OPC-based materials in general.
基金supported by Chem Concrete Pty.Ltd.Australia,Abadgaran Negin Jonoobshargh Company(ANJ Co.),Iran(Grant No.118/3C-1399)。
文摘Lime and Portland cement are the most widely used binders in soil stabilization projects.However,due to the high carbon emission in cement production,research on soil stabilization by the use of more environmentally-friendly binders with lower carbon footprint has attracted much attention in recent years.This research investigated the potential of using alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag(GGBS)and volcanic ash(VA)as green binders in clayey soil stabilization projects,which has not been studied before.The effects of different combinations of VA with GGBS,various liquid/solid ratios,different curing conditions,and different curing periods(i.e.7 d,28 d and 90 d)were investigated.Compressive strength and durability of specimens against wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles were then studied through the use of mechanical and microstructural tests.The results demonstrated that the coexistence of GGBS and VA in geopolymerization process was more effective due to the synergic formation of N-A-S-H and C-(A)-S-H gels.Moreover,although VA needs heat curing to become activated and develop strength,its partial replacement with GGBS made the binder suitable for application at ambient temperature and resulted in a remarkably superior resistance against wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles.The carbon embodied of the mixtures was also evaluated,and the results confirmed the low carbon footprints of the alkali-activated mixtures.Finally,it was concluded that the alkali-activated GGBS/VA could be promisingly used in clayey soil stabilization projects instead of conventional binders.
基金would like to acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51590914 and 51608432)Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province(2019JQ-481).
文摘Alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) is a new green building material. The amount of CO_(2) produced by AASC is 1/5th of that produced by ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC). In addition, AASC promotes the reuse of slag and other wastes and saves resources. Furthermore, the scope of use of slag has been expanded. The progress of the research on the hydration characteristics, microstructure, interfacial transition zone, and pore structure of AASC based on the relevant literatures was analyzed and summarized in this study. The influences of the slag composition, the type and dosage of the alkali activator, and the curing conditions on the hydration characteristics and the microstructure of the AASC were discussed. Relatively few research results on the microstructure of AASC are available, and the relevant conclusions are not completely consistent. Moreover, there are many constraints on the development of AASC (e.g., complex composition of raw materials of slag, large shrinkage deformation, and low fluidity). Therefore, further research is required.
基金Project(2017 YFB 0310100)supported by National Key R&D Program of ChinaProjects(51778629,51922109)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProjects(2020 zzts 617,2020 CX 011)supported by the Innovation-Driven Project of Central South University,China。
文摘The time-dependent rheological behaviors of alkali-activated cement(AAC)are expected to be precisely controlled,in order to meet the requirements of modern engineering practices.In this paper,the effects of activator,including the Na_(2)O concentration and SiO_(2)/Na_(2)O(S/N)molar ratio,on the rheological behavior of alkali-activated slag fly ash pastes were investigated.The small amplitude oscillatory shear(SAOS)and shear test were used to evaluate the structural build-up and flowability of pastes.Besides,zeta potential measurement,calorimetric test and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)were carried out to reveal the physico-chemical mechanisms behind the rheological evolution of fresh pastes.It was found that high Na_(2)O concentration and low S/N molar ratio improved the flowability and structural build-up rate of paste.Moreover,the structural build-up of alkali-activated slag-fly ash pastes consists of two stages,which is controlled by the dissolution of solid reactants and formation of C-(A)-S-H gels,respectively.
基金Funded by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2009CB23201)the Open Foundation of National Key Laboratory of Green Building Materials (No.CBM-08-KF103)
文摘A new type of magnesia modification alkali-activated cement was prepared, the strength, setting time, shrinkage ratio and cracking behavior, as well as the composition and structure of the hydration product were investigated. The results indicate that the setting time of this cement is similar to that of the ordinary commercial cements; its strength reaches the standard of 42.5 degree cement, its cracking resistance has been remarkably improved because of the micro-aggregate effect of fly ash and shrinkage compensating of magnesia.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.51461135001 and 51678144)the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (No.2015CB655100)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No.BK20161420)the Industry-University Research Cooperative Innovation Fund of Jiangsu Province (No.BY2013091)the China-Japan Research Cooperative Program by Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No.2016YFE0118200)
文摘In this study, two types of reinforcing steels(conventional low-carbon steel and a novel duplex alloy steel with Cr and Mo) were exposed to chloride-contaminated extract solutions(ordinary Portland cement(OPC) extract and alkali-activated slag(AAS) extract) to investigate their pitting corrosion resistance. The results confirm that the pitting corrosion resistance of the alloy steel is much higher than that of the low-carbon steel in both extract solutions with various Na Cl concentrations. Moreover, for each type of steel, the AAS extract contributes to a higher pitting corrosion resistance compared with the OPC extract in the presence of chloride ions, likely because of the formation of flocculent precipitates on the steel surface.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation Project of Chongqing(cstc2020jcyj-msxmX0954)the Chongqing Outstanding Youth Project(cstc2019JCYJQX0024)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52204415.U1902217)。
文摘Alkali-activated cement(AAC)is either clinker-less or free,and it is also environmentally friendly due to its low carbon footprint and wide range sources.Industrial wastes,like steel slag and blastfurnace slag,usually have latent hydraulic reactivity,and can be used as precursors of AAC.Both clinkerless and clinker-free AAC were prepared from the mixture of steel slag and blastfurnace slag by using water glass as an activator,and four different recipes which satisfied the strength requirement of 42.5R Portland cement were obtained.Each recipe of AAC exhibited better resistance to sulfate attack and frost attack than Portland cement.AAC showed huge drying shrinkage,but it was equivalent to that of Portland cement as steel slag content increased to 40%.The AAC also had quite low risk of alkali-aggregate reaction.Microstructure analysis showed that the major products were calcium silicate hydrate(C–S–H),calcium aluminosilicate hydrate(C–A–S–H)and zeolite-like phases.Ettringite was also detected in the binder when gypsum was contained in the precursors.
基金The National Basic Research Program of China(973Program)(No.2015CB655100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51378115)
文摘The effects of unoiled polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)fiber with four different volume fractions of 0%,1.0%,1.5%and 2.0%on the bending properties of alkali-activated slag(AAS)mortar plates were studied.Meanwhile,the acoustic emission(AE)technique and a high-speed camera were utilized to detect the crack development over the complete damage process,and the scanning electronic microscopy(SEM)was used to observe the fiber-matrix interface.Test results show that PVA fibers play a significant role in the toughness improvement of AAS plates.However,the enhancing effect of PVA fibers on the bending behaviour of AAS plates at 120 d is not as remarkable as at early ages.It is observed that the failure process of the PVA fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag plate can be divided into three stages:elastic stage,main crack formation stage and post-peak load stage.Observations on the fracture surface of specimens indicate that the deterioration process of specimens under bending changed from fiber pull-out at 3 and 28 d to fiber fracture at 120 d.
文摘To provide basic data for the reasonable mixing design of the alkali-activated (AA) foamed concrete as a thermal insulation material for a floor heating system, 9 concrete mixes with a targeted dry density less than 400 kg/m3 were tested. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as a source material was activated by the following two types of alkali activators: 10% Ca(OH)2 and 4% Mg(NO3)2, and 2.5% Ca(OH)2 and 6.5% Na2SiO3. The main test parameters were water-to-binder (W/B) ratio and the substitution level (RFA) of fly ash (FA) for GGBS. Test results revealed that the dry density of AA GGBS foamed concrete was independent of the W/B ratio an RFA, whereas the compressive strength increased with the decrease in W/B ratio and with the increase in RFA up to 15%, beyond which it decreased. With the increase in the W/B ratio, the amount of macro capillaries and artificial air pores increased, which resulted in the decrease of compressive strength. The magnitude of the environmental loads of the AA GGBS foamed concrete is independent of the W/B ratio and RFA. The largest reduction percentage was found in the photochemical oxidation potential, being more than 99%. The reduction percentage was 87% - 93% for the global warming potential, 81% - 84% for abiotic depletion, 79% - 84% for acidification potential, 77% - 85% for eutrophication potential, and 73% - 83% for human toxicity potential. Ultimately, this study proved that the developed AA GGBS foamed concrete has a considerable promise as a sustainable construction material for nonstructural element.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(50178026)the Cheung Kong Scholars Program Foundation of Chinese Ministry of Education(2009-37)
文摘The main reaction products were investigated by analysis of microstructure of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag （GGBFS） paste. An experimental research was performed on bond performance of alkali-activated GGBFS paste as a construction adhesive after exposure to 20-500℃. Through XRD analysis, a few calcium silicate hydrate, hydrotalcite and tetracalcium aluminate hydrate were determined as end products, and they were filled and packed each other at room temperature. In addition, akermanite dramatically increased at 800 ~C and above. The two key parameters, the ultimate load Pu.T and effective bond length Le, were determined using test data of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer （CFRP）-to-concrete bonded joints at elevated temperature. The experimental results indicate that the ultimate load Pu.T remains relatively stable initially and then decreases with increasing temperature. The effective bond length Le increases with increasing temperature except at 300℃. The proposed temperature-dependent effective bond length formula is shown to closely represent the test data.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51139001)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (Grant No. BK2009345)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities from the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No.2010B19914)
文摘The effect of magnesia bumt at 800-950℃ on the properties, especially the shrinkage, of alkali-activated slag cement （AASC.） was experimentally studied. Experimental results show that, although adding 4%-8% lightly-burnt magnesia may shorten the setting time and slightly reduce the compressive strength of AASC, it c, an remarkably reduce the shrinkage of AASC. The results also show that the setting time of AASC with a certain amount of magnesia increases with the buming temperature, and that the flexural and compressive strengths of AASC decrease with the increase of the additive amount of magnesia. Generally, the adverse effect of magnesia decreases with the increase of the burning temperature：, and the shrinkage-reducing effect of magnesia increases with the additive amount of magnesia. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） analyses show that some magnesia particles in the hardened AASC paste at a 28-d age remained unhydrated, and that the compactness decreased a little as magnesia was added. We can also conclude that magnesia bumt at 850-950℃ can be used to reduce the shrinkage of AASC only when its additive amount does not exceed 8%; otherwise, the setting time may be too short, and the flexural and compressive strengths may severely decrease.
基金funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC RGPIN-2017-05537).
文摘The unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of alkali-activated slag(AAS)-based cemented paste backfill(CPB)is influenced by multiple design parameters.However,the experimental methods are limited to understanding the relationships between a single design parameter and the UCS,independently of each other.Although machine learning(ML)methods have proven efficient in understanding relationships between multiple parameters and the UCS of ordinary Portland cement(OPC)-based CPB,there is a lack of ML research on AAS-based CPB.In this study,two ensemble ML methods,comprising gradient boosting regression(GBR)and random forest(RF),were built on a dataset collected from literature alongside two other single ML methods,support vector regression(SVR)and artificial neural network(ANN).The results revealed that the ensemble learning methods outperformed the single learning methods in predicting the UCS of AAS-based CPB.Relative importance analysis based on the bestperforming model(GBR)indicated that curing time and water-to-binder ratio were the most critical input parameters in the model.Finally,the GBR model with the highest accuracy was proposed for the UCS predictions of AAS-based CPB.
基金Funded by the Natural Sciences Foundation of China(No.51808025)the Pyramid Talent Training Project of BUCEA(No.JDYC20200329)。
文摘To explore the distribution of and the mechanical properties(compressive strength)of the hardened body of alkali slag-fly ash cementitious materials,this study was conducted by using the XRD,FTIR,SEM/EDS,and other test methods in three conditions:airtight drying(AD),airtight immersion(AI),and airtight soaking(AS).The 1D distribution law of free of hardened body under standard curing conditions was explored.The experimental results show that under standard curing conditions,the 1D distribution of within 0d-3 d shows a∨-shaped distribution,within 3-7 d show a∧-shaped distribution,and within 7-28 d tends to be balanced.The test results of leaching rate show that the free was the most stable under AD conditions and the hardened body bound the most by XRD,FTIR and SEM/EDS.And the compressive strength of the hardened body was the highest.The compressive strength of 28th reached 95.9 MPa.The definite distribution of provides an important reference for the strength development and durability evaluation of the hardened body of alkaliexcited cementitious materials.
基金supported by 2023 University-Level Scientific Research Project of Ningbo Polytechnic(NZ23002)the First Batch of Ningbo Construction Scientific Research Projects in 2023(20230106).
文摘In this paper,the influence of NaCl freeze-thaw(F-T)cycles and dry-wet(D-W)alternations on theflexural,com-pressive and bonding strengths of alkali-activatedfly ash(FA)and a blast furnace slag powder(BFS)is investi-gated.The considered NaCl concentration is 3%.The effect of polypropylenefibers on the mechanical strengths is also examined.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),thermogravimetry(TG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)are selected to discern the mechanisms underpinning the NaCl-induced erosion.The obtained results indicate that the best results in terms of material resistance are obtained with admixtures containing 60%BFS and 40%FA in terms of mass ratio and 3%polypropylenefibers in terms of volume ratio.The maximum rates of decrease of theflexural,compressive and bonding strengths after 300 NaCl F-T cycles are 21.5%,20.3%and 22.6%,respec-tively.The corresponding rates of decrease due to NaCl D-W alternations are 28.1%,26.1%and 31.5%,respec-tively.The TG curves show that the alkali-activating activity of BFS is higher than that of FA.Moreover,in thefirst case,the microstructure of the hydration products is more compact.The results also show that NaCl F-T cycles lead to increasing cracks in the alkali-activated BFS.
基金This work was supported by Ministry of education of Taiwan(Grant No.H108-AA09)for funding,CHP for materials provision,and NCKU C-Hub for space and instruments.
文摘The paper investigates the second-order interactions of parameters in an alkali-activated mixture of paper production waste(PPW)and blast furnace slag(BFS)in Taguchi method.The PPW including lime mud(LM)and paper sludge(PS).This paper provides the experimental models to assess the compressive and flexural strength of them at 7-day and 28-day.The results have shown that the second-order interactions between PPW and alkali-activated activator exists in each experimental model,and the significant interactions affect the selection of optimal compositions.Compared with the interactions between the PPW themselves,the interactions between PPW and alkali-activated parameters are the main significant factors affecting its physical properties.In each experimental model,the maximum compressive strength was 47.41 MPa in 7-day and 65.64 MPa in 28-day.Compared with the confirmatory experiments,the deviation of prediction calculated by experimental models was 3.08%and 0.56%,respectively.The maximum flexural strength was 5.74 MPa in 7-day and 5.96 MPa in 28-day;compared with the confirmatory experiments,the deviation of prediction calculated by experimental models was 5.40%and 0.17%.Considering the influence of circular materials,30%of PPW should be a suitable ratio to replace BFS as the raw material of alkali-activated slag(AAS).
