Autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag

Autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag: A critical review

Li, Z. (TU Delft Materials and Environment; University of Sheffield)
Chen, Y. (TU Delft DC systems, Energy conversion & Storage; South China University of Technology)
Provis, John L. (University of Sheffield)
Cizer, Özlem (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
Ye, G. (TU Delft Materials and Environment)

2023

This paper provides a critical review on autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag (AAS). It is reported that AAS paste, mortar, and concrete generally show larger autogenous shrinkage than Portland cement (PC) counterparts. Self-desiccation is the main driving force of the autogenous shrinkage of hardened AAS, but other mechanisms also play roles, particularly at early age. Existing models developed for PC do not give satisfactory estimations of the autogenous shrinkage of AAS, unless the pronounced viscoelasticity of AAS is considered. The susceptibility of AAS concrete to extensive cracking is not necessarily high due to the effects of stress relaxation, but local creep can exacerbate the development of microcracks. Various strategies have been proposed to mitigate the autogenous shrinkage of AAS, but many exhibit side effects, e.g., strength reduction. Existing testing methods for autogenous shrinkage of PC seem applicable to AAS, but the starting time and test duration need to be reconsidered.

Alkali-activated slag
Autogenous shrinkage
Cracking
Mechanism
Mitigation
Modelling

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e6b3afc6-65f3-445d-87bc-863e99608590

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107244

0008-8846

Cement and Concrete Research, 172

Institutional Repository

review

© 2023 Z. Li, Y. Chen, John L. Provis, Özlem Cizer, G. Ye