The Durability of One-Part Alkali-Activated Slag-Based Mortars in Different Environments

Luigi Coppola, Denny Coffetti, Elena Crotti, Gabriele Gazzaniga and Tommaso Pastore
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Luigi Coppola: Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Viale Marconi 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy
Denny Coffetti: Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Viale Marconi 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy
Elena Crotti: Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Viale Marconi 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy
Gabriele Gazzaniga: Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Viale Marconi 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy
Tommaso Pastore: Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Viale Marconi 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: The paper assesses the durability of one-part alkali-activated slag-based mortars (AAS) in different aggressive environments, such as calcium chloride- and magnesium sulphate-rich solutions, in comparison with traditional cementitious mortars at equal water to binder ratio. Moreover, the freezing and thawing resistance was evaluated on mortars manufactured with and without air entraining admixture (AEA). Experimental results indicate that the alkali content is a key parameter for durability of AAS: the higher the alkali content, the higher the resistance in severe conditions. In particular, high-alkali content AAS mortars are characterized by freeze–thaw resistances similar to that of blast furnace cement-based mixtures, but lower than that of Portland cement-mortars while AAS with low activators dosages evidence a very limited resistance in cold environment. The effectiveness of AEA in enhancement of freeze–thaw resistance is confirmed also for AAS mortars. Moreover, AAS mixtures are quasi-immune to expansive calcium oxychloride formation in presence of CaCl 2 -based deicing salts, but they are very vulnerable to magnesium sulphate attack due to decalcification of C-S-H gel and gypsum formation.

Keywords: alkali-activated materials; freezing and thawing resistance; sulphate attack; durability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3561-:d:351184

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