Effect of the Combined Using of Fly Ash and Granulated Blast Furnace Slag on Properties of Cementless Alkali-Activated Mortar

This paper examines the effects of the mixture ratio of fly ash/slag, the type of alkaline activators and curing conditions on the workability, compressive strength and microstructure of cementless alkali-activated mortar. The investigation showed that the mixture ratio of fly ash/slag and the type of alkaline activator have significant influence on the workability and strength, whereas the curing temperature has relatively poor effect. An alkali-activated mortar using a binder composed of 50% of fly ash and 50% of granulated blast furnace slag and alkaline activator made of 9M NaOH and sodium silicate in proportion of 1:1 is seen to be able to develop a compressive strength of 65 MPa at age of 28 days even when cured at ambient temperature of 20 degrees C.