Book Description

Alkali-activated (AA) binders use less energy and emit less carbon dioxide in their production than conventional Portland cements (PC) and can also offer durability benefits. Initial indications from BRE research work under laboratory conditions are that AA binder concretes can produce durable concrete with physical properties that are comparable to or better than those of equivalent PC concrete. This Information Paper presents some initial results (to two years of exposure) of a programme of long-term durability tests conducted under recent BRE-led research programmes. The paper will be of interest to specifiers of concrete products, concrete product producers and those with an interest in the materials performance of concrete.

CONTENTS
A brief introduction to alkali-activated binder concretes
Procedure for concrete production and curing
Chemical and physical durability assessments conducted
Results and discussion-Compressive strength development
-Compressive strength development in air and water and sealed storage
-Durability in sulfate or citric acid solutionsCarbonation
-Freeze–thaw resistance
Dimensional stability and drying shrinkage
Conclusions
References

A4, 12pp
6 line drawings, 7 photos