Resistance of alkali-activated slag concrete to alkali–aggregate reaction

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation into durability of alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete exposed to alkali–aggregate reaction (AAR). In the concrete prism test method (ASTM C 1293), reactive aggregates introduced in the AAS matrix reacted with alkali–silica gel formed around aggregates. The expansion of AAS concrete prisms was 0.04% after 50 days and 0.1% after 22 months. The expansion in OPC concrete was about 0.03% after 22 months of experiment. It was found that AAS concrete had lower resistance to alkali–aggregate attack than that of OPC concrete of similar grade.