Enhancing the hardened properties of blended cement paste cured at 0 °C by using alkali-treated ground granulated blast furnace slag

Abstract

The use of high-volume ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in cement-based materials significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, low curing temperatures are barriers to using environmentally friendly materials in winter construction works. This is mainly attributed to slow GGBFS's reactivity and blends' strength development due to the low alkalinity offered by the slow hydration rate of Portland cement (PC) at low temperatures. In this study, sodium hydroxide was employed to produce dry reactive pre-alkali-activated GGBFS (A-GGBFS), with an intention to increase the system's alkalinity and reactivity. The blended cement paste was prepared with 50% PC replacement with untreated and treated GGBFS, and cured constantly at 0 °C for 28 days. The A-GGBFS accelerated the hydration rate and enhanced the precipitation of hydration products. By adding an optimal NaOH content during the pre-alkali-activation process, the 3 and 28 days compressive strengths of paste increased by 41% and 37%, respectively, gaining a comparable 28 days compressive strength to that measured in a 100% PC-based binder. The microstructural assessments are consistent with compressive strength measurements.