Rheology of Alkali-Activated Mortars: Influence of Particle Size and Nature of Aggregates

The effect of two precursors (slag and fly ash), different particle size distribution, and three types of aggregate (siliceous sand, limestone, and recycled concrete) on alkali-activated material (AAM) mortar rheology were studied and compared to their effect on an ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) mor...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Gismera Diez, Sara, Alonso López, M. del Mar, Palacios, Marta, Puertas, Francisca
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2020
Country:España
Institution:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repository:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/218447
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/218447
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Alkali-activated materials
OPC
Mortars
Rheology
Aggregates
Slag
Fly ash
Description
Summary:The effect of two precursors (slag and fly ash), different particle size distribution, and three types of aggregate (siliceous sand, limestone, and recycled concrete) on alkali-activated material (AAM) mortar rheology were studied and compared to their effect on an ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) mortar reference. Stress growth and flow curve tests were conducted to determine plastic viscosity and static and dynamic yield stress of the AAM and OPC mortars. In both OPC and AAM mortars, a reduction of the aggregate size induces a rise of the liquid demand to preserve the plastic consistency of the mortar. In general terms, an increase of the particle size of the siliceous aggregates leads to a decrease of the measured rheological parameters. The AAM mortars require higher liquid/solid ratios than OPC mortars to attain plastic consistency. AAM mortars proved to be more sensitive than OPC mortars to changes in aggregate nature. The partial replacement of the siliceous aggregates with up to 20% of recycled concrete aggregates induced no change in mixing liquid uptake, in either AAM or OPC mortars. All the AAM and OPC mortars studied fitted to the Bingham model.