This paper presents results regarding the phase composition, microstructure and textural properties of two types of aggregates, which were prepared via crushing or pelletization of alkali-activated Class F fly ash and cured under different conditions. The alkali activator was the same for aggregate products, containing an alkaline solution consisting of 8 M NaOH and Na-silicate (8 M NaOH/Na-silicate = 1:2.5 mass ratio). The aforementioned properties were influenced by two different preparation procedures combined with varying curing regimes (under normal conditions at 20 °C, RH 40–60% for 28 and 120 days and under an accelerated regime, at 65 °C for 5 days). Aggregates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), back scattered electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (BSE-EDS) analyses and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results showed noteworthy structural and textural diversities between the two types of aggregate. The method of preparation and curing regime affected the formation of the N-A-S-H structure and the texture of the alkali-activated fly ash product, with the crushing method giving an advantage.

Clay roofing tiles fired at five different temperatures (900, 920, 960, 1,000, and 1,020°C) were subjected to the investigations of textural characteristics and frost resistance prediction. The closed container and hydraulic pressure mechanisms proved to be dominant at lower firing temperatures (900 and 920°C), whereas micro-ice-lens formation mechanism have significant role at higher temperatures (960 and 1,000°C). The highest resistance is noticed for the samples fired at 1,020°C where the frost action mechanisms are balanced because the porous structure that compensates the local stresses developed during freezing. The prediction of frost action durability of clay roofing tiles, the appearance of the first cracks, and the prediction of frost action mechanisms given by the statistical model, showed a high level of agreement. The statistical model contains capillary pores (P0.1), and the ratio of frozen and unfrozen water (I) as significant parameters for describing susceptibility to closed conta...

This paper presents the results of the study examining the effect of natural zeolite from Igroš, Serbia, on the hydration and compressive strength of Portland cement based pastes, in which a part of cement has been replaced by natural zeolite. The experimental part comprises three stages. In the first stage, the chemical composition of natural zeolite and the textural properties of both natural zeolite and Portland cement have been examined. In the second stage, Portland cement based pastes incorporating 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% per weight of natural zeolite have been prepared and cured for 28 and 60 days. Finally, mineralogical properties and compressive strength of pastes have been examined. The products of hydration and relative changes of portlandite consumption throughout hydration process (28 and 60 days) have been studied by the means of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, mercury intrusion porosimetry has been used to characterise pore structure.

The durability of concrete infrastructure is related to the properties of the applied concrete and the effects of the aggressive external environment on it. When concrete is directly exposed to soft water, the leaching of calcium ions from hardened cement or cement-based pastes occurs, causing reduction in strength and further deterioration of the concrete structure. This paper presents the experimental results of soft water attack effects on phase composition and compressive strength of blended cement pastes, when cement is replaced with 0, 10, 20 and 30% of natural zeolite. In order to simulate soft water attack in laboratory conditions, paste specimens were exposed to leaching in deionised water up to 180 days. The evaluation of the changes in phase composition (ettringite, portlandite, calcium silicate hydrate gel) due to calcium ion leaching was made based on X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and paste compressive strength tests. The presence of portlandite and ettringite after 180 days of exposure to deionised water indicates that leaching did not influence the stability of the hydration products in blended cement pastes. Moreover, blended cement paste with 10% of natural zeolite had a higher compressive strength than the reference one.