Impact of Alkali Salts on the Hydration of Ordinary Portland Cement and Limestone–Calcined Clay Cement
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 9
Abstract
Soluble alkalis play a vital role during early age hydration and strength development in cement. This study investigates the influence of alkali addition on the hydration, phase assemblage, and strength development in ordinary portland cement (OPC) and limestone–calcined clay cement () produced with 50% clinker replacement. The alkalinity (% ) of OPC and was increased using four different alkali salts: NaOH, , KOH, and . An acceleration of the early age hydration and an increase in the early age compressive strength development was observed with increasing alkalinity in OPC and systems. The characteristic features of the calorimetry curves were seen to be significantly influenced by the presence of alkalis. The presence of additional sulfate ions was seen to modify the phase assemblage, with additional ettringite forming in these systems. However, increasing the alkalinity was also seen to reduce the later age clinker hydration and strength development.
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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 financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is gratefully acknowledged.
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Received: Oct 18, 2020
Accepted: Jan 25, 2021
Published online: Jun 25, 2021
Published in print: Sep 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Nov 25, 2021
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