Strength and Porosity of Materials on the Basis of Blast Furnace Slag Activated by Liquid Sodium Silicate

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of different admixtures on strength and porosity development of mortars and pastes based on alkali activated blast furnace slag (AABFS). Fluidized bed combustion fly ash and by-pass cement kiln dust were used to replace slag in the binder by 5%wt. and 10%wt., respectively. Pure slag mortar was also modified by a shrinkage reducing admixture. The use of all the admixtures resulted in a reduction in early age strength, while only shrinkage reducing admixture had significant impact on pore size distribution. Properties of AABFS based specimens were compared to those of specimens based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC).