Factors affecting compressive strength and expansion due to alkali-silica reaction of fly ash-based alkaline activated mortar

The development of environmentally friendly alkaline-activated materials (AAMs) holds promise, as AAMs can be derived from waste materials. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing (i) compressive strength and (ii) expansion due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in AAMs. These factors include alkaline concentration, heat curing conditions, fineness of fly ash, and the liquid alkaline-to-binder (L/B) ratio. The findings indicate that the higher concentrations of NaOH solution led to an increase in AAM compressive strength due to the enhanced dissolution and polymerization rates in a more alkaline environment. Heat curing stimulated chemical reactions and structure formation, while the reduced water content resulted in lower porosity and higher compressive strength in the hardened cement. Finer fly ash yielded greater compressive strength than coarser ash, as its smaller spherical particles contributed to denser and firmer structures. The presence of calcium minerals, from both Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and high-calcium fly ash, bolstered the strength of hardened products. Moreover, calcium minerals like CaO, Ca(OH)₂, and CaSO₄ were found to induce ASR expansion by promoting gel formation, leading to later-stage expansion in the hardened cement or concrete. However, finely milled fly ash as a precursor significantly reduced ASR expansion in AAMs, by approximately 40% compared to ordinary Portland cement. This study provides valuable insights for civil engineers for better understanding of AAM behavior and makes contributions to the safety and sustainability of cement and concrete systems. © 2023 The Authors