Engineering properties of practical alkali-activated material with slag and low calcium fly ash blending

Abstract

The current study proposes fabricating the practical alkali-activated material (AAM) by adjusting the sodium hydroxide characteristics and dosage of low calcium Class F fly ash as slag substitution. The effects of Na₂O with three concentration of 3, 4, and 6 mass.% of total solid traction and slag replacement with Class F fly ash at three various percentages of 10, 30, and 50 mass.% on the engineering properties in terms of slump flow, setting times, and compressive strength of the AAM pastes have been explored. Experimental results showed that effect of the Na₂O concentration was opposite to that of the Class F fly ash increment on the properties of the AAM pastes. The increased concentration of Na₂O induced the resultant AAM pastes with lower flowability, shorter setting times, and higher compressive strengths at all ages of curing. The dosages of Na₂O concentration and slag replacement with low calcium Class F fly ash should be respectively limited at lower than 6 mass.% and 10 mass.% for fabricating the AAMs with desired engineering properties.