Study of the effect of alkalis on the slag cement systems

• Published in: Canadian journal of civil engineering Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 934 - 939
• Main Authors: Zeghichi, L, Mezghiche, B, Chebili, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.10.2005; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Aggregates and other concrete constituents; Alkalies; Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; By products; Cement; Cement concrete constituents; Cement hydration; Cements; Chemicals; Civil engineering; Concrete additives (fillers, pozzolanic and hydraulic materials); Exact sciences and technology; Materials; Properties and test methods; Properties of anhydrous and hydrated cement, test methods; Slag; Tests; Water; Alkali; Hardening; Slag cement; Activation; Compressive strength; Experimental study; Steam curing; Setting time; Blast furnace slag
• ISSN: 0315-1468; 1208-6029
• DOI: 10.1139/l05-041

The replacement of natural materials by industrial by-products has given a variety of new construction materials that are economically viable and ecologically beneficial. Blast furnace slag is one of these industrial by-products. Its beneficial proprieties and characteristics have led to rapid growth of production in Algeria and worldwide. This research deals with the effect of alkaline activation of slag cement with clinker. Various agents that activate the process were used for testing, and it showed that compressive strength at 28 d, which reached 150% with respect to compressive strength obtained from slag cement at different percentages of slag (50%-80%), increased considerably. Alkaline activators accelerate hydration and stimulate the hardening process. The results also show the efficacy of steam cured treatment on the compressive strength.Key words: slag cement, activation agent, hydration, hardening, steam curing.