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An exploratory study on sodium sulfate activated slag modified with Portland cement

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Abstract

In this work, the effect of different contents of Portland cement (PC) on the heat of hydration, pH value, compressive strength and drying shrinkage of 1 % Na2O equivalent of Na2SO4 activated ground granulated blast-furnace slag (hereafter referred as slag) has been investigated and compared to slag activated with other common activators. Slag was partially replaced with PC at levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15 %, by weight. The various decomposition phases formed were indentified using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed an increase in the heat of hydration and compressive strength with the inclusion of 10 and 15 % PC. On the other hand, 5 % PC reduced the compressive strength. The pH value increased with increasing PC content, whilst drying shrinkage decreased with increasing PC content.

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Acknowledgments

A.M. Rashad was sponsored by Egyptian government for his academic visit to Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), U.K. The slag used in this research was supplied by Hanson Cement. Prof. PAM Basheer, Dr. Yun Bai and the facilities provided by the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast are also gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Building Materials Research and Quality Control Institute, Housing & Building National Research Center (HBRC), Cairo, Egypt

    Alaa M. Rashad

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Rashad, A.M. An exploratory study on sodium sulfate activated slag modified with Portland cement. Mater Struct 48, 4085–4095 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0468-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0468-3

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