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

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.

• Record URL:
  http://www.utrc2.org/sites/default/files/Final-Report-Characterizing-and-Quantifying-Shrinkage-Resistance.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/32346
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Clarkson University

  Potsdam, NY  United States  13699

  University Transportation Research Center

  City College of New York
  Marshak Hall, Suite 910, 160 Convent Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10031

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Peethamparan, Sulapha
  • Thomas, Robert J
  • Ngami, Margueritte
  • Li, Zihui
• Publication Date: 2015-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 57p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Binders; Concrete curing; Cracking; Evaluation and assessment; Fly ash; Portland cement; Shrinkage; Slag; Workability
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01637839
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: 49997-24-25
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 8 2017 12:04PM