Reactivity of slag in 15 years old self-compacting concrete

The paper summarizes changes in slag microchemical composition and its hydration products in Portland cement self-compacting concrete after 15 years of exposure in water under laboratory conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis (EDX) techniques show the results of the degree of hydration of blast furnace slag particles. The experiment showed a connection between the slag content and the hydration process. It was verified that the average values of the base-forming oxides ratio (MgO + Al2O3)/CaO are inversely proportional to the slag content in the mixture. The results of these procedures provide valuable information not only in the long-term predictions of the effect of slag and other additives in cement concrete, but also in the evaluation of slag hydration in historical concrete structures. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper summarizes changes in slag microchemical composition and hydration products in Portland cement self-compacting concrete after 15 years of exposure in water under laboratory conditions. The results show a connection between slag content and hydration degree, as well as an inverse relationship between the average values of base-forming oxides ratio and slag content in the mixture. These findings provide valuable information for long-term predictions of slag and other additives in cement concrete, as well as for evaluating slag hydration in historical concrete structures.