Characterizing and Quantifying the Shrinkage Resistance of Alkali-Activated (Cement-Free) Concrete and Evaluating Potential Methods for Reducing Early-Age Cracking in Pavements and Bridges

Details

• Creators:
  Peethamparan, Sulapha ; Thomas, Robert J.
• Corporate Creators:
  Clarkson University. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Contributors:
  Ngami, Margueritte ; Li, Zihui
• Corporate Contributors:
  City University of New York. University Transportation Research Center
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Alkali aggregate reactions
  • Climate change
  • Raw materials
  • Shrinkage
  • Cracking
  • Concrete
  • Shrinkage resistance
  • cement-free concrete
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  City College of New York. University Transportation Research Center
• Abstract:
  This report summarizes the findings of an experimental investigation into shrinkage, and the mitigation thereof, in alkali-activated fly ash and slag binders and concrete. The early-age (chemical and autogenous) and later-age (drying and carbonation) shrinkage of sodium silicate-activated fly ash and slag binders was evaluated in accordance with relevant specifications. The influence of activator concentration and water content on the resulting shrinkage was investigated. The shrinkage behavior of alkali-activated binders and concrete was compared to that of ordinary portland cement. Finally, the effectiveness of several common shrinkage-mitigation techniques on the early-age and later-age shrinkage of alkali-activated binders was evaluated. Overall, this study demonstrates that, while shrinkage and associated cracking are problematic in many alkali-activated concrete mixtures, there are several promising methods which can reduce the magnitude of autogenous and drying shrinkage.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  49997-24-25
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/32346/dot_32346_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.91 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Transportation Resilience and Vulnerability Collection ; University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:71940ab6915acd1e44bdd3bf2ea1cd8c8c1d361239d1648349eb3a9ce9b693d4