Behavior in the fresh state and in the hardened state of alkali-activated fly ash-based mortars cured at ambient temperature

Knowledge and technology in alkali-activated materials has grown in recent years. However, the application in engineering works is still limited, mainly because some precursors require thermal curing for alkaline activation to occur. In this perspective, the objective of this research is to evaluate the behavior in the fresh state and in the hardened state of alkali-activated mortars based on fly ash, cured at ambient temperature. For the production of mortars, an alkaline activator composed of silicate and sodium hydroxide was used, the ratio between activator solution and precursor (s/p) was varied in 0.45, 0.55 and 0.65. Additionally, a conventional mortar was produced for comparison. The products of the alkali-activation reaction were identified by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis. In the fresh state, the Flow Table and Squeeze Flow tests were carried out and in the hardened state, tests of compressive strength and tensile strength in bending were carried out. The results indicate the formation of N-A-S-H gel (hydrated sodium aluminum silicate) as the main reaction product. The workability and mechanical strength of alkali-activated mortars were influenced by the amount of alkaline solution and additional water. The results were satisfactory, with tensile strengths between 5.4 MPa and 11.1 MPa and compressive strengths between 11.1 MPa and 33.3 MPa, at 28 days. These values increased as the s/p ratio increased and the additional water decreased. The conventional mortar presented flexural tensile strength of 3.3 MPa and compressive strength of 18.5 MPa. Therefore, alkali-activated mortars based on fly ash have characteristics and properties that enable their application in loco in civil construction.