Rheological, Fresh State, and Strength Characteristics of Alkali-Activated Mortars Incorporating MgO and Carbon Nanoparticles.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the fresh state, rheological, and mechanical properties of alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) developed by incorporating magnesium oxide (MgO) and nanomaterials. A total of 24 AAM mixes with varying content of MgO, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were developed following the one-part dry mix technique using powder-based activators/reagents. The effects of the types/combinations of source materials (binary or ternary)/reagents, MgO (0 to 5%), MWCNT (0 to 0.

Shrinkage, Permeation and Freeze-Thaw Characteristics of Ambient Cured High Calcium-Based Alkali-Activated Engineered Composites.

Sustainable zero cement-based one-part ambient cured alkali-activated engineered composites (AAECs) are developed. The durability and microstructural characteristics of developed AAECs using 2% / polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers, silica sand, binary or ternary combinations of precursors (fly ash class C 'FA-C', fly ash class F 'FA-F' and ground granulated blast furnace slag 'GGBFS') and two types of powder form alkaline reagents (Type 1 and Type 2) are evaluated compared to conventional engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) and alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) without fiber. AAECs developed satisfactory compressive strength ranging from 34 MPa to 46 MPa.

The Strength and Fracture Characteristics of One-Part Strain-Hardening Green Alkali-Activated Engineered Composites.

Alkali-activated engineered composites (AAECs) are cement-free composites developed using alkali activation technology, which exhibit strain hardening and multiple micro-cracking like conventional engineered cementitious composites (ECCs). Such AAECs are developed in this study by incorporating 2% / polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers into alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) produced using binary/ternary combinations of fly ash class C (FA-C), fly ash class F (FA-F), and ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) with powder-form alkaline reagents and silica sand through a one-part mixing method under ambient curing conditions. The mechanical and microstructural characteristics of eight AAECs are investigated to characterize their strain-hardening performance based on existing (stress and energy indices) and newly developed tensile/flexural ductility indices.