Mechanism for Improving Crack Resistance of Slag Concrete With High Alite Cement

Abstract

In this study, several techniques such as acoustic emission (AE), physical and mechanical tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to investigate the effectiveness of high alite cement (HAC) to control microcracking in slag concrete subjected to a temperature regime simulating steam curing in early ages. The results revealed the capacity of HAC in improving resistance against microcracking of slag concrete. The mechanism for this large cracking resistance was clarified by AE analysis. The large microcrack resistance of HAC mortar might be partly due to the role of calcium hydroxide crystals as a kind of buffer preventing the propagation of microcracks. High bond strength between aggregate and HAC mortar contributed significantly to larger tensile strength.