Properties of One-Part Alkali Activated Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Using Slaked Lime as Alkali Activator – A Comparative Study with Different Silicate Sources

Abstract

The paper reports the results of investigating the prospect of using slaked lime as a solid activator to activate the ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) with micro-silica as an additive. The results of the above-mentioned one-part mix are compared to that of GGBFS activated with solid sodium silicate in combination with slaked lime and quick lime, discretely. The compressive strength is found to be comparable to that of slaked lime and sodium silicate activated GGBFS; the silica fume substitution is recommended at 10% with 5% slaked lime. The main hydration products are C-S-H and C-A-S-H. Although the setting is delayed, strength development is acceptable with curing at ambient temperature. The microstructural analyses conducted through Field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are in good correlation with the results obtained for strength development.