Alkali aggregate reaction in alkali slag cement mortars

Abstract

By means of “Mortar Bar Method”, the ratio of cement to aggregate was kept as a constant 1∶2,25 the water-cement ratio of the mixture was 0.40, and six prism specimens were prepared for each batch of mixing proportions with dimensions of 10×10×60mm³ at 38±2°C and RH≧95%, the influences of content and particle size of active aggregate, sort and content of alkali component and type of slag on the expansion ratios of alkali-activated slag cement (ASC) mortars due to alkali aggregate reaction (AAR) were studied. According to atomic absorption spectrometry, the amount of free alkali was measured in ASC mortars at 90d. The results show above factors affect AAR remarkably, but no dangerous AAR will occur in ASC system when the amount of active aggregate is below 15% and the mass fraction of alkali is not more than 5% (Na₂O). Alkali participated in reaction as an independent component, and some hydrates containing alkali cations were produced, free alkalis in ASC system can be reduced enormously. Moreover, slag is an effective inhibitor, the possibility of generating dangerous AAR in ASC system is much lower at same conditions than that in ordinary Portland cement system.