Fig. 1. 29Si MAS NMR spectrum of a sodium metasilicate-activated blast furnace slag paste cured for 14 days, with deconvolution into component peaks.Alkali activation is a highly active and rapidly developing field of activity in the global research and development community. Commercial-scale deployment of alkali-activated cements and concretes is now proceeding rapidly in multiple nations. This paper reviews the key developments in alkali-activated materials since 2011, with a particular focus on advances in characterisation techniques and structural understanding, binder precursors and activation approaches, durability testing and design, processing, and sustainability. The scientific and engineering developments described in this paper have underpinned the on-going scale-up activities. We also identify important needs for future research and development to support the optimal and appropriate utilisation of alkali activated materials as a component of a sustainable future construction materials industry.
This article originally appeared in Cement and Concrete Research 78(A), 2015, Pages 110-125
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