Chloride Permeability of Alkali-Activated Slag Concretes after Exposure to High Temperatures

Materials (Basel). 2024 Feb 23;17(5):1028. doi: 10.3390/ma17051028.

Abstract

The number of fires in buildings and on bridges has increased worldwide in recent years. As a structural material, the strength of alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete after exposure to high temperatures has been given much attention. However, research of its durability is still lacking, which limits the application of this type of concrete on a larger scale. In this context, as one of the most important aspects of durability, the chloride permeability of AAS concretes after exposure to high temperatures was examined in this study. The influence of the alkali concentration (Na2O%) and the modulus (Ms) of the activator, as well as the influence of heating regimes, including the heating rate, duration of exposure to the target temperature, and cooling method, was also discussed. The results show that the chloride permeability of the AAS concretes increased with temperature elevation. Due to the interference of pore solution conductivity, the influence of the Na2O% and the Ms of the activator on the chloride permeability of the AAS concretes was not made clear by using the ASTM C 1202 charge passed method; however, after exposure to high temperatures, AAS with a lower Na2O% and lower Ms has lower porosity and may have lower chloride permeability, which needs further investigation. Faster heating for a longer duration at the target temperature and water cooling reduced the resistance of the AAS concretes to chloride permeability as a result of their increased porosity.

Keywords: alkali-activated slag concrete; chloride permeability; high temperature; pore structure.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 52068038; the Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, grant number 202101AT070089; the Analysis and Test Foundation of Kunming University of Science and Technology, grant number 2022M20212210042; and Top-notch Innovative Talent Programme of Kunming University of Science and Technology, grant number CA23107M124A. All support is greatly appreciated.