Mitigation of autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag mortar by stearate salts.

• Adding 0.5 wt% calcium stearate can reduce 25% of the autogenous shrinkage of AAS; • The use of stearates can significantly reduce the internal capillary pressure of AAS; • The dynamic elastic modulus of AAS will reduce by 20% after adding stearates; • Elastic deformation only accounts for 10% of the total autogenous shrinkage of AAS. The autogenous shrinkage of the stearates-modified alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortar was investigated in this study. The experimental results suggested that the maximum reduction (25 %) of autogenous shrinkage of AAS can be achieved by adding 0.5 wt% calcium stearate, while potassium stearate and sodium stearate seem less effective in decreasing shrinkage. According to the results obtained, the mechanisms of shrinkage mitigation are mainly associated with the retardation of hydration, the coarsening of pore structure, and the increased contact angle. It is estimated that the capillary pressure of pores was reduced by 30 % ∼ 60 % when stearates were used. However, the elastic modulus of AAS was reduced by 20 % due to the bubble-stabilizing effect of stearates, especially at higher dosages, which would partially offset its decreasing effects on autogenous shrinkage. It is also found that the traditional physical model could be used to predict the autogenous shrinkage of plain and modified AAS samples, provided the effect of both elastic and creep parts is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]