Development of the internal structure of an alkali-activated paste related to the length of curing

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with the influence of the length of the moist curing period on the development of the internal structure of a paste based on alkali-activated slag. Waterglass was used as the activator. For the purpose of experiment, the test specimens subjected to the experiment were divided into five sets with different curing regimes combining moist and air curing. The reference set was kept in an environment with relative air humidity ≥ 95% during the entire maturing period. The development of the internal structure of the alkali-activated paste was mainly monitored using the resonance method. The obtained results show that the curing regime applied to the test specimens significantly influences the development of the internal structure of the material. The development of the observed dynamic properties (dynamic moduli and Poisson’s ratio) shows the formation of damage to the internal structure of the paste after its exposure to the air. Interestingly, a massive decrease in dynamic modulus of elasticity immediately after exposure to air drying was not prevented, even by intensive moist curing of the paste for 28 days.