Previously, the lack of a thermodynamic database for N-(C-)A-S-H gel limited the application of thermodynamic modeling to alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA). This study pioneers thermodynamic modeling of AAFA using a recently developed thermodynamic dataset for N-(C-)A-S-H gel. The reaction products, pore solutions and reaction kinetics of AAFA pastes were experimentally determined. Based on the reaction kinetics, the composition of the solid phases and the pore solution of AAFA were modeled over time. The results showed that the simulated compositions of the solid reaction products and pore solution match closely with the experimental results, especially for the sodium hydroxide-activated system. Moreover, modeling results point out the potential presence of minor reaction products (e.g., C-(N-)A-S-H gel, microcrystalline ferrihydrite, Mg-containing phases) undetectable by experimental techniques. The study also demonstrated that thermodynamic modeling accurately captured the amount of bound water in reaction products, highlighting its robustness in both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

This work evaluated the reactivity and leaching potential of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) and precursor for alkali-activated materials (AAM). The chemical composition of the amorphous phase in MSWI bottom ash was found to be in the same range as that of Class F coal fly ash. The reactivity of MSWI bottom ash as SCM and AAM precursor was tested to be much lower than that of blast furnace slag, but similar to that of Class F coal fly ash. The method of thermodynamic modeling was found useful in providing references for the mix design of MSWI bottom ash-based AAM. Grinding MSWI bottom ash into powder for the application of SCM and AAM precursor increased its leaching potential. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were provided on how to use MSWI bottom ash to prepare blended cement pastes and AAM.

To better understand early stiffening of AAS pastes, distinctive microstructural features by varying the silicate modulus (Ms) have been visualized with in-situ microscopy. In addition, the activation reaction was monitored with multiple approaches, while solid and liquid phases in hydrating AAS were characterized separately. In silicate-activated AAS, it was found fine granules of reaction products are intensively dispersed in the activator solution, leading to a less flocculated system. Compared to hydroxide-activated AAS, the development of interparticle connections was limited at early ages, whereas reaction products were detected with much smaller grain size, less crystalline phase, and higher Al incorporation. Results indicate that the stiffening of hydroxide-activated AAS is attributed to the formation of a well-percolated network through solid reaction products. Instead, massive fine granules of reaction products dispersed in the pore solution continuously develop, which may intensify the interparticle interactions and macroscopically results in the stiffening of a silicate-activated AAS.

The production of cement and concrete contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Alkali‐activated concretes (AACs) are a family of existing alternative construction materials that could reduce the current environmental impact of Portland cement (PC) production and utilisation. Successful applications of AACs can be found in Europe and the former USSR since the 1950s and more recently in Australia, China and North America, proving their potential as construction materials. However, their utilisation is limited presently by the lack of normative and construction guidelines. Raw materials’ non‐uniform global availability and variable intrinsic properties, coupled with the lack of specific testing methods, raise questions regarding reproducibility and reliability. The mechanical and chemical behaviour of AACs has been investigated extensively over the past decades, strengthening its potential as a sustainable substitute for traditional PC‐based concrete. Although a wide amount of studies demonstrated that AACs could meet and even exceed the performance requirements provided by European design standards, a classification of these broad spectra of materials, as well as new analytical models linking the chemistry of the system components to the mechanical behaviour of the material, still need further development. This report gives an overview of the potential of alkali‐activated systems technology, focusing on the limitations and challenges still hindering their standardisation and wider application in the construction field.

A deeper insight into SO₃/Al₂O₃ ratio including the contribution of alumina in slag at early age is required to ensure a properly sulfated slag cement. In this paper, to investigate the effect of gypsum and alumina of slag, emphasis was laid on the hydration characteristics of C₃S-gypsum-slag system during the early age, of which slag was synthesized in the laboratory with varying Al₂O₃ contents from 3.69 to 18.19 wt%. The duration of dormant period during the hydration of C₃S depended on Al₂O₃ content of slag significantly; however, the amount of silicate reaction before the onset of aluminate reaction was independent of slag chemistry and gypsum content added. The rate of aluminate reaction was controlled by the availability of reactants, SO₄²⁻ and Al³⁺ ions in particular, which were sourced from gypsum and slag, respectively. Calcium monosulfoaluminate only occurred in mixture when slag contained a high amount of Al₂O₃ (18.19 wt% in this study) at early age, and its formation proceeded continuously at the expense of ettringite. Sulfur rich species incorporated in slag started to participate into aluminate reaction after the main hydration peak of C₃S, and it played a similar role to gypsum.