Influence of preconditioning and curing methods on the durability performance of alkali-activated binder composites

This paper reports on the effect of preconditioning methods on oxygen permeability, sorptivity and water permeability of alkali-activated concrete. Effects of molarity and types of activators on the strength attainment of ground granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash based alkali-activated mortar are also presented. Moreover, a detailed investigation on the effect of three different curing methods, i.e. lime water curing, natural atmospheric curing, and controlled curing at 25 °C on strength and durability of alkali-activated concrete, is reported. From the test results, higher compressive strength was observed for ambient cured alkali-activated mortar specimens compared to that of heat cured specimens irrespective of types of activators, molarity and curing durations. The preconditioning methods were seen to have a significant influence on the durability performance of alkali-activated concrete. The compressive strength and oxygen permeability index were higher, and water sorptivity was lower for lime water cured alkali-activated concrete specimens as compared to specimens cured under other conditions.