Effect of curing conditions on the compressive strength of sodium carbonate activated slag-glass powder mortar

This study presents the experimental investigation of the effect of curing conditions on the properties of mortar mixtures made with sodium carbonate activated slag-glass powder as a binder. Slag and glass powder were used at an equal percentage as the aluminosilicate precursor and the binary blend was activated with sodium carbonate. The corresponding compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity of the mixtures cured in different conditions were investigated. The curing conditions used in this study are dry, moist, and submerged curing. Microstructural investigations were also carried out to understand the microstructural properties of the mixtures exposed to these curing conditions. Results from this study showed that moist curing is the most effective curing method for mortar made with sodium carbonate alkali-activated slag-glass powder as a binder. Microstructural evaluations further confirm the strength results as mortar samples cured in a moist condition exhibited a denser microstructure.