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Factors Affecting the Properties of Na2CO3-activated Fly Ash/Slag Paste

Conference Paper · September 2014

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Proceedings of the 34th Annual Cement and
Concrete Science Conference,
and Workshop on Waste Cementation

14 – 17 September 2014
Editors
Susan A. Bernal & John L. Provis
34th Annual Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2014

Sponsored by
 34th Annual Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2014

Welcome to the University of Sheffield

On behalf of the conference committee, we extend a warm welcome to the 34th Annual
Cement and Concrete Science Conference, hosted by the Department of Materials
Science and Engineering and the Immobilisation Science Laboratory (ISL) at The
University of Sheffield.

The Cement and Concrete Science Conference series is an annual event that aims to
bring together industrial and academic partners with a shared interest in the
development and evaluation of cement and concrete technology. This is a space where
the new generation of cement and concrete scientists can present their work in a
friendly environment, and interact with academics and industrial partners. It is also a
great opportunity to build new collaborations between institutions to strengthen links
across the cement and concrete research community.

This year the conference includes 5 keynotes, 44 oral presentations and 65 poster
presentations, with attendance from 30 different countries, followed by a dedicated
Workshop on Waste Cementation, which will address the central role that the cement
and concrete technology community plays in the valorisation and safe management of
hazardous and nuclear wastes, including 3 keynotes and 12 oral presentations. The
significant growth in the number of researchers working in these areas demonstrates
the industrial and societal impact of research in cement and concrete technology, and
the increasing need to continue finding solutions to modern infrastructural and waste
management needs.

We would like to thank all of the attendees for participating in this conference, all of the
members of ISL that have contributed to the organisation of this conference, and in
particular to the companies and institutions that have generously contributed to
sponsor this event.

We all hope that you will have a fruitful and enjoyable time in Sheffield.

Kind regards

John L Provis (Chair) Susan A. Bernal (Secretary)

On behalf of the 34th CCS organising committee 2014

34th Annual Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2014

Conference organising committee

Local organising committee – University of Sheffield
John L. Provis (Chair)
Susan A. Bernal (Secretary)
Gordon Brown
Laura J. Gardner
Lauren Ashton
Claire Corkhill
Claire Utton
Hajime Kinoshita

IOM3 cementitious materials group

Mark Tyrer (Chair, Cementitious Materials Group)
Mark Russell (Secretary, Cementitious Materials Group)
Yun Bai
Jonathon Backus
Richard Ball
Stephanie Barnett
Leon Black
Steve Brooks
Bob Cather
Chris Cheeseman
Chris Clear
Nick Collier
Andrew Dunster
Diana Edwards
Liam Grover
Joanne Hill
Gary Perkins
Stuart Preston
Julia Stegemann
Renhe Yang
 Table of contents
34th Conference on Cement and Concrete Science – 14-16 Sep 2014

Oral Sessions - Extended Abstracts

Keynotes Pages

K1 Professor Fredrik Glasser 1

K2 Dr Andrea Hamilton 3
K3 Professor Robert Flatt 7
K4 Dr Nicolas Roussel 11
K5 Professor Andrey Kalinichev 13

Contributed lectures

Sustainability

A1 Reducing CO2: Optimum Blend of Binders in the UK

A.C. Heath, K.A. Paine 15
A2 The Design of Concrete Mixes with Reduced Clinker Content
G.W. Nganga, M.G. Alexander, H.D. Beushausen 19
A3 Towards Carbon Negative Cements
J. Morrison, G. Jauffret, F.P. Glasser, J.L. Galvez-Martos, M.S. Imbabi 23

Alkali-Activation

Stoichiometrically Controlled C-A-S-H/N-A-S-H Gel Blends via Alkali-

B1
Activation of Synthetic Precursors
B. Walkley, J.S.J van Deventer, R. San Nicolas, J.L. Provis 27
Effect of NaOH Concentration and Silica Fume Addition on Strength
B2
and Durability of Geopolymer Cements
S. Astutiningsih, H.O. Adriansyah 33
Structural Investigations on One-Part Geopolymers after Different
B3
Drying Regimes
P. Sturm, G.J.G. Gluth, M. Lindemann, S. Greiser, C. Jäger, H.J.H.
Brouwers 37
Steel Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar: Corrosion Behaviour in
B4
Chloride-Rich Environment
M.E. Natali, S. Manzi, C. Chiavari, M.C. Bignozzi, C. Monticelli, M.
Abbottoni, A. Balbo, F. Zanotto 41
Manufacturing Cement-based Materials and Building Products via
B5
Extrusion
X.M. Zhou, Z.J. Li 45
B6 Alkaline Activation of Natural Iron Containing Precursors
K.C. Gomes, J.F. Silva Neto, M.R.F. Lima Filho, Gomes, R.M., S.M. Torres,
A.A.P. Vieira 49
 Active Steel Corrosion in Blended Slag and Fly Ash Geopolymer
B7
Concrete
M. Babaee, A. Castel, A. Akbarnezhad 55
B8 Drying Shrinkage Microcracking of Alkali-Activated Slag Materials
S.A. Bernal, J. Bisschop, J.S.J. van Deventer, J.L. Provis 59

Composites and Lightweight Materials

C1 Effect of Additives on Void Structure of Foamed Concrete

A.A. Hilal, N.H. Thom, A.R. Dawson 63
Cumulative Pore Volume and Pore Size Distribution of Porous
C2 Inorganic Polymer Composites: Relation Microstructure and
Effective Thermal Conductivity
Z.N.M. NGouloure, E. Kamseu, U.C. Melo, C. Leonelli, B. Nait-Ali, D.S.
Rossignol, S. Zekeng 67
Microstructural Study of 10-year Aged GRC Modified by Calcium
C3
Sulfoaluminate Cement
M. Song, P. Purnell, I. Richardson 73

Admixtures

D1 Effect of Acetic Acid on Early Hydration of Portland Cement

D.D. Nguyen, P. Koshy, C.C. Sorrell, L.P. Devlin 75
Impact of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizers on Polyphased Clinker
D2
Hydration
D. Marchon, M. Jachiet, R.J. Flatt, P. Juilland 79
Combined Effect of Malic Acid Retarder and Naphthalene
D3 Superplasticiser on Rheological Properties and Compressive
Strength of NaOH-Activated Slag
J. Ren, I. Talagala, V. Kulasingham, Q. Zhou, Y. Bai, M.J. Earle, C.H. Yang 83
D4 Future Challenges for Photocatalytic Concrete Technology
A. Folli, D.E. Macphee 87
D5 The Influence of Sodium Salts and Gypsum on C-S-H
B. Mota, K. Scrivener, T. Matschei 93
Optimisation of Cement Grouts and CEM Mortars Using Different
D6 Superplasticisers, Mineral Additions and Supplementary
Cementitious Materials
S. McNamee, M. Sonebi, S.E. Taylor 99

Hydration and non-Portland binders

E1 In situ Monitoring of pH Changes in Concrete and Lime Mortars

G.L. Pesce, R.J. Ball, M. Serrapede, G. Denuault 105
Chemical Structure and Morphology of C-S-H Synthesized by Silica-
E2
Lime Reaction and by the Controlled Hydration of C3S
E. Tajuelo Rodriguez, I. G. Richardson, L. Black, A. Nonat, J. Skibsted,
E. Boehm-Courjault
109
 Hydration of a High Equivalent Alkalis Clinker in the Presence of
E3
Natural and Synthetic Gypsum (Phosphogypsum)
L.S. Girotto, E.D. Rodríguez, F.A.L. Sánchez, A.P. Kirchheim, S.A. Bernal,
J.L. Provis 113
Cement Pastes at the Nano-Scale: Opportunities from Modelling and
E4
Simulation
E. Masoero 117
Expansion Properties of Two Different Reactivity MgOs Produced
E5
from Magnesite and Seawater
W. Y. Lau, L. Mo and A. Al-Tabbaa, J. Stehle 121
E6 Novel Process for Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement Production
I. Galan, F.P. Glasser, A. Elhoweris, S. Tully, A. Murdoch 125

Supplementary Cementitious Materials

Development of an Electrical Leaching Technique - Evaluation of

F1
Leaching from Hardened Cement Body
K. Hashimoto, H. Yokota, H. Kinoshita, W. Gashier, A. MacArthur 129
Study of the Behavior of Resins Saturated with Na+ ions in CEM I and
F2
CEM III Cement Pastes
E. Lafond, C. Cau Dit Coumes, D. Chartier, S. Gauffinet, A. Nonat,
P. Le Bescop, L. Stefan 133
Microstructure and Phase Assemblage of Low-Clinker Cements
F3
during Early Stages of Carbonation
J. Herterich, L. Black, I. Richardson 137
F4 Ultra-Fine Fly Ash Concrete
B.K.T. Kandie, K. Pilakoutas 141
F5 Dissolution of Aluminosilicate Glasses in OPC environment
S. Alahrache, B. Lothenbach, F. Winnefeld, G.Accardo, J-B. Champenois,
F. Hesselbarth 147
The Alumino-Silicate Chain Structure of C-S-H Phase in High-Volume
F6
Volcanic Natural Pozzolan-Portland Cement Blended Systems
A. Sassani, L. Turanli and C. Meral, A.H. Emwas 151
F7 Pozzolanic Potential of the Calcined Clay-Lime System
S. Hollanders, J. Elsen 155
Effect of Cement Replacement by Limestone on the Hydration and
F8
Microstructural Development of Ultra High Performance Concrete
W. Huang, H.K. Kamyab, K. Scrivener, W. Sun 159

Low CO2 Cements and Concretes

Improving the Carbonation Potential of MgO-Cement Porous Blocks

G1
through Different Aggregate Profiles
C. Unluer 165
Project Aether: Testing the Durability of a Lower-CO2 Alternative to
G2
Portland Cement
K.C. Quillin, A.M. Dunster and C. Tipple, G. Walenta, E. Gartner, B.
Albert 169
G3 Towards the Development of CO2-Neutral Cement (BioCement)
N.N. Carr, H.M. Jonkers 173
 Alkali-Activated and Other Cements

H1 Use of Magnesia Cement in Industrial Waste Cementation

Th. Zampetakis, H. Yiannoulakis and A. Meidani, A.I. Zouboulis,
O. Zebiliadou, E. Pantazopoulou 179
Resistance against Organic Acid Attack in Fodder Fermenting Silo –
H2 Comparison of the Performance of OPC and Alkali-Activated Binder
Based Concretes
A. Buchwald, P. Harpe, S. Schiecke, T. Hagedorn, B. Leydolph 183
Evaluation of Northern Irish Laterites as Precursor Materials for
H3
Geopolymer Binders
J. A. McIntosh, J. Kwasny, M. N. Soutsos 187
Durability Test Methods and their Application to AAMs: Acid
H4
Resistance
J. Aliques-Granero, T. M. Tognonvi, A. Tagnit-Hamou 193
Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Materials: Novel Perspectives for the
H5
Application of Geopolymer Based Materials
G. Roviello, L. Ricciotti, C. Ferone, F. Colangelo, R. Cioffi, O. Tarallo 199
H6 Alkali-activated Slag Cements: Blast Furnace versus Ferronickel Slag
A. Fernández-Jiménez, K. Arbi, A. Palomo 203
Re-use of Waste Glass as Alkaline Activator in the Preparation of
H7
Alkali-Activated Materials
M. Torres-Carrasco, F. Puertas 207

Poster Extended Abstracts

Performance at high temperatures of alkali-activated slag/phlogopite

P1
binders
O.H. Hussein, S.A. Bernal, J.L. Provis 211
Utilization of High Volume Fly Ash Concrete With Indonesian Blended
P2
Cement as an Applicable and Environmentally Friendly Technology
R. R. Irawan 217
P3 The CNASH_ss Thermodynamic Model: Formulation and Validation
R. J. Myers, S.A. Bernal, J.L. Provis 221
P4 Thermal Insulation Rubber-Concrete for Building Walls Application
S.Y. Mukaila, A. Ocholi, S.P. Ejeh 225
P5 Foamed Concrete: From Weakness to Strength
A.A. Hilal, N.H. Thom, A.R. Dawson 231
Optimising Blends of Blast Furnace Slags for the Immobilisation of
P6
Nuclear Waste
R.A. Sanderson, J.L. Provis, G.M. Cann 235
Hydration and Mechanical Properties of Portland Cement Blended
P7
with low-CaO Steel Slag
E. Atiemo, K.A. Boakye, J. Sarfo-Ansah 237
Effects of Blast Furnace Slag Substitution in Geopolymer Concrete on
P8 Compressive Strength and Corrosion Rate of Steel Reinforcement in
Seawater And Acid Rain
H.W. Ashadi, S. Astutiningsih, B. A. Aprilando 241
P9 Study of Blended Cement Matrices Containing Forest Biomass Ash
I. Jiménez, E. Puch, G. Pérez, A. Guerrero, B. Ruiz 245
Durability evaluation of an activated hybrid cementitious system
P10
using Portland cement and fly ash with Na2SO4
D.F. Velandia, C.J. Lynsdale, J.L. Provis, F. Ramirez, A. Gomez 249
Phase Assemblages in Hydrated Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements
P11
Blended with Mineral Additions
F. Winnefeld, B. Lothenbach 253
Cold-Setting Cordierite and Mullite-Cordierite Geopolymer Refractory
P12 Composites: Thermal Behavior, Mechanical Properties and
Microstructure
C. N. Djangang, P. Mustarelli, E. Kamseu, C. Leonelli 257
Evaluation of Novel Reactive Mgo Activated Slag for the
P13
Immobilisation of Zinc
F. Jin, A. Al-Tabbaa 261
Influence of Variation in Chemical Composition on the Performance of
P14
Slag Blends in Chloride-Rich Environments
O.R. Ogirigbo, L. Black 265
P15 On-Site (In-situ) Concrete Waste Minimisation in Tehran
A. Meibodi, H. Kew 269
P16 Development of Self-cured Geopolymer Cement
T. Suwan, M. Fan 273
Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscopy (ASEM) In-Situ Imaging of
P17
Microstructure Development in Hardening Cement Pastes
T. Takahashi, M. Kimura, T. Jinnai, H. Nishiyama 277
Influence of Blast Furnace Slag and Silica Fume on Early Age
P18 Engineering Performance of Alkali Activated Fly Ash after Short-Term
Low Temperature Curing
F. Messina, C. Ferone, F. Colangelo, R. Cioffi 279
Microstructure-based Micromechanical Model for Compressive
P19
Strength Evolution of Cement Paste
M. Hlobil, V. Šmilauer 283
P20 Concrete and Mortar Made with Incinerator Fly Ash
A.Y. Shebani 287
A New Binder from the Alkali Activation of Ceramic Sanitary-ware
P21
Waste
L. Reig, L. Soriano, M.V. Borrachero, J. Monzó, J. Payá 291
Chloride Binding Capacity of GGBS-based Cementitious Materials as
P22
Enhanced by Nano-alumina Addition
K. Briki, A. Darquennes, M. Chaouche 295
P23 Early Hydration of OPC with Lignosulfonate
T. Danner, H. Justnes, M.R. Geiker 301
On the Optimum Sulphate Dosage: Study of the Model System C3S/C3A
P24
Ground with Hemi-Hydrate and Gypsum
S. Gauffinet, S. Gunay, A. Nonat, P. Temkhajomkit 303
P25 Role of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag on Sulphate Resistance
M. Whittaker, L. Black, M. Zajac, M. Ben Haha 307
P26 Effect of Improper Curing on Concrete Performance
O. Idowu, L. Black 311
 Effect of Temperature and Slag Properties on Slag/Cement Blend
P27
Hydration at Early Age
A. Bougara, C. Lynsdale, N. Milestone 315
P28 Slag Hydration in Composite Cements
S. Adu-Amankwah, L. Black, M. Zajac 321
Comparison of X-ray Diffraction Rietveld Analysis and X-ray
P29
Fluorescence Bogue Analysis of Portland Cement Composition
G.M. Cann, I.H. Godfrey, R.M. Orr, R. Blackham, S. Foster 325
Factors Affecting the Properties of Na2CO3-activated Fly Ash/Slag
P30
Paste
A. Abdalqader, A. Al-Tabbaa 329
Thermal Behavior of Lightweight Aggregate Containing Mortar
P31
Subjected to Supercritical Carbonation
R.A.M. Júnior, J. M. Gurgel, M.R.F. Lima Filho, S.M. Torres, L. Black 333
Microstructure of Metakaolin Geopolymer Composite Subjected to
P32
Direct Flame
G. de S. Lima, K.C. Gomes , A.P. Vieira, M.R.F. Lima Filho, A.F. Leal,
S.M. Torres 337
P33 Alkaline Activation of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ashes
P.F. Filho, K.C. Gomes, J.F. Silva Neto, M.R.F. Lima Filho, S.M. Torres,
A.P. Vieira 341
Development of Supplementary Cementitious Materials from London
P34
Clay
D. Zhou, C.R. Cheeseman, M. Tyrer 345
Alkali Activated Fuel Ash and Slag Mixes: Optimization Study from
P35
Mortars to Concrete Building Blocks
A. Rafeet, R. Vinai, W. Sha, M. Soutsos 349
High Performance Concrete Application using Recycled Aggregate and
P36
Synthetic Macro Fibre
A.I. Tijani, J. Yang, S. Dirar 355
Geopolymers based on Calcined Kaolin sludge/ Bottom Ash Blends
P37
and an Alternative Sodium Silicate Activator
M.A. Longhi, F. Gaedke, E.D. Rodríguez, A.C. Passuello, A.P. Kirchheim,
S.A. Bernal, J.L. Provis 359
Impact of Mixing in the Early Hydration of Cement Paste with
P38
Lignosulphonate

A. Colombo, T.A. Danner, K. De Weerdt, M.R. Geiker, H. Justnes 363

Retarding Effect of Gluconate and D-Glucitol on the Hydration of
P39 Tricalcium Silicate: Interaction between the Molecules and Calcium
Silicate Hydrates
C. Nalet, A. Nonat 367
Prediction of Drying Shrinkage and Compressive Strength of Self-
P40
Compacting Concrete using Artificial Neural Networks
J. Abdalhmid, M. Mahgub, A.F. Ashour, D. Lam, T. Sheehan 371
P41 Study of the Hydration of Cement with High Slag Content
S. Stephant, L. Chomat, A. Nonat, T. Charpentier 377
High Temperature Study of FA/MKPC Binders for Nuclear Waste
P42
Encapsulation
L. J. Gardner, V. Lejeune, C.L. Corkhill, S.A. Bernal, J.L. Provis, N.C. Hyatt 381
P43 The Hydration of Nuclear Wasteform Cements
J.E. Vigor, S.A. Bernal, I.H. Godfrey, J.L. Provis 387
Geopolymer from Mechanically Activated Low and High Calcium Fly
P44
Ash
G. Mucsi, Z. Molnár, Á. Rácz, R. Szabó, B. Csőke 391
Sodium Carbonate Activated Slag Binders for the Immobilisation Of
P45
Magnox Nuclear Waste
S.A. Walling, S.A. Bernal, N. C. Collier, H. Kinoshita, J.L. Provis 397
P46 Early Stages of Aluminosilicate Glass Dissolution
K.C. Newlands, D.E. Macphee 401
P47 How to Stabilize Spreader Stoker Coal Fly Ashes?
J. Hot, M. Sow, C. Tribout, M. Cyr 407
Influence of Graphene Oxide on the Hydration of Portland Cement: a
P48
preliminary investigation
S. Ghazizadeh, P. Duffour, Y. Bai, N.T. Skipper, M. Billing 411
Dielectric Properties and Numerical Modelling of Microwave Heating
P49
of Portland Cement/Fly Ash Blends
A. Khoylou, M. Debs, S. Shi, Y. Bai, M. Fabian, T. Sun, K.T.V. Grattan,
B. McKinnon 415
Microwave Curing Techniques for Manufacturing Alkali-activated Fly
P50
Ash
S. Shi, Y. Bai, M. Fabian, M. Ams, T. Sun, K.T.V. Grattan, H. Li, D.L. Xu,
P.A.M. Basheer 419
Chloride Binding Capacity of Hydrotalcite in Near-Neutral and
P51
Alkaline Environments
X. Ke, S.A. Bernal, J.L. Provis 423
P52 Use of Oil-Based Mud Cutting waste in Cement Clinker Manufacturing
H. Saif Al-Dhamri, L. Black 427
P53 Synthesis of Low-Energy Cement based on α-C2SH
R. Siauciunas, K. Baltakys, R. Gendvilas, E. Prichockiene 431
P54 Autogenous Shrinkage in Blended Cement Systems
Z. Hu, H. Kazemi-Kamyab, K. Scrivener 435
Nano-Structured SiO2 Filler Made from Local Kuwaiti Sand and Used
P55
in Cement Paste Mixtures
S. Al-Otaibi, M. Sherif El-Eskandarany 439
Effect of Ca and Mg Addition on the Aqueous Durability of Glasses in
P56
High-pH Environments
D.J. Backhouse, C.L. Corkhill, N.C. Hyatt, R.J. Hand, M.L. Harrison 443
P57 The Use of Urban Ceramic Wastes in Eco-Sustainable Durable Cement
V. Perugini, E. Paris, G. Giuli, M.R. Carroll 447
Natural Hydraulic Limes for Masonry Repair: Hydration and
P58
Workability
P.F.G. Banfill, A.M. Forster, S. MacKenzie, M. Pinilla Sanz, E.M. Szadurski,
C. Torney 451
Formate Oxidation Driven Biogenic Concrete Surface Treatment by
P59
Methylocystis Parvus OBBP
G. Ganendra, J. Wang, A. Ho, N. Boon 455
 Impact of High Temperature to Aluminous Cement Based Fibre
P60
Composites Containing Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer
P. Reiterman, M. Jogl, O. Holčapek, J. Litoš, P. Máca, R. Sovják,
P. Konvalinka 459
Reutilization of Clay Brick Aggregate and Powder Derived from
P61
Construction and Demolition Waste in Concrete
S.C. Kou, F. Xing, C.S. Poon 463
P62 Effect of CsNO3 on 3:1 Blast Furnace Slag:Portland Cement Systems
A.J. MacArthur, H. Kinoshita, J.L. Provis, S. Shaw 467
Early-age Engineering Properties and Electrical Resistivity of
P63
Geopolymer Mortars
X. Zhou, S. Safari 471
A New Method for Assessment of Cracking Tendency of Cement-based
P64
Materials under Restrained Shrinkage
X.M. Zhou, O. Oladiran, W. Dong 473

Workshop on Waste Cementation – 17 Sep 2014

Oral Session Extended Abstracts

Keynote - Immobilisation of Intermediate Level Waste Using

W1
Cements – Research Progress and Future Opportunities
M. Angus 477
Keynote - Cement Matrices for Nuclear Waste Immobilisation –
W2
Recent Advances
J.L. Provis, S.A. Bernal, C. Corkhill, H. Kinoshita, N.C. Hyatt 479
Magnesium Silicate Hydrates (M-S-H): Formation Kinetics and Range
W3
of Composition
E. Bernard, B. Lothenbach, E. L’Hôpital, D. Nied, A. Dauzères 481
W4 Magnesium and Calcium Silicate Hydrates
B. Lothenbach, E. L’Hôpital, D. Nied, G. Achiedo, A. Dauzères 485
Gamma Radiation Resistance at Early Age of a Slag-Portland Cement
W5
Binder Used for the Treatment of Nuclear Waste
N. Mobasher, S. A. Bernal, H. Kinoshita, C.A. Sharrad, J.L. Provis 489
W6 Reactivity Testing of Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag and Fly Ash
G.M. Cann, K. Carruthers, I.H. Godfrey, S. Foster, K. Murphy 493
Performance of Portland Cement Pervious Concrete In Removal
W7
Process of Heavy Metals from Stormwater
A. Abdollahzadeh 495
Immobilisation of Technetium-99 on Backfill Cement: Sorption under
W8
Static and Saturated Flow Conditions
C.L. Corkhill, J.W. Bridge, P. Hillel, L.J. Gardner, R. Tappero, N.C. Hyatt 497
High-Resolution Multi-Nuclear NMR Characterisation of a Novel
W9
GBFS/MKPC Binder for Nuclear Waste Encapsulation
L.J. Gardner, S.A. Bernal, S.A. Walling, C.L. Corkhill, J.L. Provis, N.C. Hyatt 499
W10 Determination of the Extent of Expansion of Residual Metallic Waste
and its Effect on ILW Containers
M. Hayes, S.J. Palethorpe, G.R. Patterson, G. Woodhouse 503
Potential Use of Cementation of Copper Tailing for Infrastructure
W11
Development in Papua
R.R. Irawan, S. Hardono, R. Wijaya, F. Yuliarti, N. Visco, F. Mulyana 507
W12 MSWI Fly Ash Cementation by Means of Cold-Bonding Pelletization
F. Colangelo, C. Ferone, F. Messina R. Cioffi 511
Keynote - Stabilization of Textile Effluent Sludge for Producing
W13
Concrete Blocks
C.S. Poon, B. Zhan 515
Induced Cementation of Dredged Marine Soils for Civil Engineering
W14
Re-Use
C-M. Chan 519
Effect of Composition on Laser Scabbling of Cementitious Materials in
W15
Nuclear Decommissioning
B. Peach, M. Petkovski, D.L. Engelberg, J. Blackburn 523

Poster Extended Abstracts

Study for Utilization of Industrial Solid Waste, Generated by the

W16 Discharge of Casting Sand Agglomeration with Clay, Blast Furnace
Slag and Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash in Concrete Composition
J. Mazariegos Pablos, E.P. Sichieri, M. S. de Andrade Zago 525
Cementitious Grouts for ILW Encapsulation – Continuity of
W17
Supply/Influence of Organic Grinding Aids
J. Hawthorne 527
Assessment of the Hydrothermal Ageing of Waste Encapsulation and
W18
Backfill Grouts for Applications in the Nuclear Industry
E.J. Butcher, N. Collier, K. Carruthers, J. Borwick, S.J. Williams 529
Magnesium Aluminium Silicate Hydrate (M-A-S-H) Cements for
W19
Magnox Sludge Immobilisation
S.A. Walling, S.A. Bernal, H. Kinoshita, J.L. Provis 531
W20 Biomass Fly Ash as a Precursor for Alkali-Activated Materials
S.A. Bernal, S. Mundra, O.H. Hussein, R.J. Ball, A.C. Heath, J.L. Provis 535
34th Cement and Concrete Science Conference
14-17 September 2014
University of Sheffield

Factors Affecting the Properties of Na 2 CO 3 -activated Fly

Ash/Slag Paste
Ahmed Abdalqader and Abir Al-Tabbaa
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK

ABSTRACT

Alkali activated Fly Ash/Slag (AAFS), a newly evolved type of alkali-activated materials (AAMs), was
studied for the sake of developing a more sustainable alternative to Portland cement (PC) which is
known for its negative environmental impact. The dosage of the activator, the fly ash/slag ratio, and the
curing condition were investigated. It was found that increasing the dosage of the activator significantly
increased the strength. The inclusion of fly ash up to 25% had marginal effect on the strength while the
inclusion beyond 25% could lead to remarkable reduction in strength, particularly in water curing.
Selaed curing in general was found to be beneficial to the strength of AAFS paste especially at 50/50
ratio of fly ash/slag.

1. INTRODUCTION silicate-activated AAFS mortars and concrete

The CO 2 emissions released from the Portland
Ccment (PC) accounts for 5-10% of the global
man-made CO 2 emissions [1]. This urges the
need of a more environmental benign
alternative. Alkali activated materials could offer
such alternative for green concrete [2]. Alkali
activated slag and alkali activated fly ash (FA)
have been extensively studied in the literature
[3,4]. The joint activation of both slag and FA is
introduced recently in order to eliminate the
disadvantages of the activation process of each
of them alone [5].
Like other AACs, the nature of the slag and FA
and the type and dosage of the activators have
significant effects on the AAFS cement
properties [6]. Additionally, other important
factors include the FA to slag ratio [5,7] and the
curing condition [8]. The AAFS system can yield
better compressive strength and flexural
strength than OPC [9]. The strength
development of the AAFS system depends
mostly on the FA/slag ratio and activator type
and dosage. Increasing the proportion of FA in
AAFS systems, activated by NaOH and
waterglass, decreased the strength [5,10–13].
This can be attributed to the low reactivity of FA
under ambient temperature [14].
Chithiraputhiran & Neithalath [13] reported that
the compressive strength of 70-30 fly ash-slag
mixture droped to about the half the 50-50 fly
ash-slag mixture strength even the former has
higher activator dosage. However, Ismail et al
[15] found that inclusion of up to 50% of FA in
can yield to comparable or higher strength than
PC. This was supported by Puertas et al that
found at 28 days of reaction, a mixture of 50%
fly ash and 50% slag activated with 10 M NaOH
and cured at 25°C, developed compressive
mechanical strengths of about 50 MPa.
Puertas et al [5] studied different curing
conditions of AAFS with NaOH. They concluded
that 25 °C coupled with 10 M of NaOH seemed
to be the optimum condition, followed by 65 °C
coupled with 10 M of NaOH, followed by 25 °C
coupled with 2 M of NaOH. 56 °C coupled with
2 M of NaOH came in the last place. However,
they found that the curing conditions is less
significant than the FA/slag ratio and activator
dosage [5]. Puertas and Fernandez-Jimenez [7]
studied the curing temperature on a composite
of 50% slag/50% FA with 10 M NaOH. They
applied two curing temperatures of 22 and 65
°C at which the pastes were maintained during
the first 5 h and then cured at ambient
temperature and 98% RH. Their findings
indicated that the curing temperature of 22 °C
resulted in higher compressive and flexural
strengths at ages of 7 and 28 days compared to
those specimens cured at 65 °C.
The most widely used activators are NaOH,
waterglass, and a combination of NaOH and
waterglass. These activators, however, are a
source of concern because they are the most
expensive component in the system, are known
to shrink and harden more rapidly than is
desirable, and additionally are the primary

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source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in
the production of AAC concrete [16]. These
reasons have prevented AACs widespread use
in construction. The use of sodium carbonate
(Na 2 CO 3 ) as an activator is less extensively
used in AACs studies and it has been shown
that buildings made of Na 2 CO 3 -activated
binders have acceptable strength and excellent
service conditions [17]. Compared to other
conventional activators, sodium carbonate
yields a lower early age strength due to its lower
pH but it can demonstrate higher strength at
late ages than NaOH resulting from the effect of
-2
CO 3 ions [18] and causing the formation of
carbonated compounds of the type
C 3 A.CaCO 3 .12H 2 O that improve the
mechanical strengths [19].
which water was then added. The mixer was
stopped after 3 minutes of slow mixing, to
collect any unmixed solids scraped from the
sides of the mixing bowl and the paddle into the
bowl. Then 2 more minutes of slow mixing and
5 minutes of fast mixing were applied. For each
mix, the freshly mixed cement paste was placed
into 40 x 40 x 40 mm steel cube moulds in
three layers, and in between each layers the
mixture is tapped with a spatula for at least 25
times in two directions to remove air voids
through vibration. The samples were
demoulded after 1 day of curing and then cured
in a water tank at temperatures between 17.6°C
±2°C until the designed testing age or sealed
and stored in a plastic box until the day of the
test.

The aim of the present work is to study the Table 2. The proportions of the components of the mixes
effect of sodium carbonate dosage, the FA/slag used
Mix ID GGBS % FA % Na 2 CO 3 %
ratio, and the curing condition on the strength of GN5 100 0 5
AAFS. G75F25N5 75 25 5
G50F50N5 50 50 5
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS GN10 100 0 10
G75F25N10 75 25 10
G50F50N10 50 50 10
The ground granulated blast-furnace slag
(GGBS) used was supplied by Hanson cement, The compressive strength testing was carried
UK, and had a basicity (Kb) and hydration out using Controls Advantest 9 with a maximum
modulus (HM) values of ~0.96 and ~1.65, capacity of 250kN and with a loading rate of
respectively. The GGBS was mainly 2400N/s. Three identical cubes were tested for
amorphous, with merwinite (Ca 3 Mg(SiO 4 ) 2 ) compressive strength test at ages of 3, 7, 28,
identified as the only crystalline phase present. 56 and 90 days and the strength reported was
The FA was obtained from Cemex, Rugby, UK an average of each three specimens.
and was classified to meet the requirements of
the British standard for use with PC (BS 3892: 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Part 1). The chemical compositions of all
materials are shown in Table 1. Sodium
The compressive strengths of the mixes under
carbonate was supplied by Fisher scientific, UK
water curing and in sealed curing are shown in
as a powder. The chemical composition is
figure 1 and figure 2 respectively. The
mainly 99% Na 2 CO 3 .
compressive strength in both curing conditions
Table 1. Composition and characteristic of the materials
increased with increasing the activator dosage.
used (based on the data sheets from the suppliers) The activation with Na 2 CO 3 led at 28-day age
Component GGBS FA to a small further development of the
CaO % 39.24 6.8±3.6 compressive strength, whereas the samples
SiO 2 % 36.79 49.3±6.2 gain approximately 75–95% of their
Al 2 O 3 % 11.51 24.1±0.4 compressive strength at 7 days. The early age
Fe 2 O 3 % 0.42 9.7±1.3 improvement can be attributed to the fact that
MgO % 8310 1.1±0.2 with increased pH, aluminosilicate dissolution is
SO 3 % 1.03 3.3±1.3 increased, which in turn increases the extent of
K2O % 0.63 3.5±0.3 the reaction and the strength. However, these
Na 2 O % 0.37 1.2±0.1 mixes showed more strength development at
SSA (m2/kg) 545 2600 later ages as shown at the age of 90 days. This
can be attributed to the effect of carbonate ions
Clinkerless systems were prepared from GGBS continue to increase the strength proposed by
and FA, and activated by Na 2 CO 3 . All mixes [17].
had a w/b ratio of 0.31. Table 2 shows the mix
constituents of mixes and thier nomenclatures. Generally the inclusion of 25% FA has
For the preparation of the paste samples, all the insignificant change on the strength at all ages.
dry materials were mixed by hand in the bowl However, increasing the content of FA to 50%
followed by 5 minutes dry mixing in a mixer to decreased the strength significantly particularly

330
under water curing at all ages and in sealed
curing at early ages. In the case of fly ash to
slag ratio of 50/50, the strength was very low
due to the slow reaction of such system with
sodium carbonate so demoulding these
samples after 24 hrs and curing them in water
could cause the water get into the samples,
thereby increasing the water content and
significantly lowering the strength.
Curing conditions in this study were less
effective factor affecting the strength than other
factors. The only exception for that was for the
mixes including 50% FA where the sealed
curing was significantly beneficial to the
strength development. This supported that the
strength loss of counterparts mixes cured under
water was due to the ingress of water into the
paste increasing the water content.
The emphasis in this work is placed on the fact
that no high-temperature curing (all samples
cured at room temperature) or complicated
fabrication techniques (autoclave curing,
humidity chamber curing, etc...) were used,
making these formulae both practical for large-
scale usage and of reduced environmental
impact. Therefore, the simplicity of
manufacture, the greatly reduced environmental
impact, and the use of natural reactants
(Na 2 CO 3 ) are all reasons for further
investigating these materials.
Figure 1. The compressive strength of mixes cured under
water.
Figure 2. The compressive strength of mixed cured in
sealed curing
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4. CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that sodium carbonate can
be used to effectively activate mixtures of FA
and slag. These mixtures can yield strengths up
to 60MPa at 28 days and these strengths could
increase up to 80MPa at 90 days. The most
important factors affecting the strength
development were the activator dosage and
FA/slag ratio. With the exception of mixes
containing 50% FA, the curing conditions were
less important to the strength development.
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