Technoeconomic Study of Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete with a Focus on Strength, Emission, and Material Cost
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 7
Abstract
The present research evaluates the technoeconomic performance of alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete in comparison with ordinary portland cement (OPC) concrete. Seventy-five AAS mixtures with a wide range of mixture proportions are produced, moist-cured, and tested for their workability (slump or slump flow) and compressive strength. The relative emission and material cost of the mixtures are also analyzed in comparison with OPC concrete. Regression analyses are carried out to model the mixtures’ consistency and compressive strength and relate them to the governing factors [i.e., , , and ]. The extent of the effects and the interactions of such factors on the strength and slump of AAS concrete is quantitatively determined. A multiresponse optimization method with the aim of maximizing the strength for a targeted slump range while minimizing the relative cost and emission is introduced, and the mixture proportions yielding such conditions are identified. The results suggest that at molar ratios , , and volume ratio , workable AAS mixtures () could be produced with strength values exceeding twice the amount and emissions half that of OPC concrete while maintaining the material cost increase below 40%.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Mr. Ali-Mohammad Houshangi, Mr. Amir-Hossein Houshangi, and the White-Damavand Co. The invaluable technical support of Mr. Mahdi Nofallah in preparing the experimental setups is greatly appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 7 • July 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 1, 2020
Accepted: Nov 19, 2020
Published online: Apr 20, 2021
Published in print: Jul 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Sep 20, 2021
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