High-Performance Alkali-Activated Cement Concretes for Marine Engineering Applications

Abstract

The contribution covers results of studies on the alkali-activated cement concretes intended for marine engineering applications. Such properties as strength, wear, corrosion, freeze-thaw, weather resistance and many others have been studied, and the results are reported and discussed in detail. The obtained results suggested to draw a conclusion on high potential of the alkali-activated cement concretes for marine engineering applications, since in their performance properties these concretes are highly advantageous over other concretes used as marine concretes and big savings can be expected in the future due to the longer span of service life. The results are supported by long-term observations in real conditions. The above advantages are attributed to more perfect micro- and macrostructure of the alkali-activated cement stone. The authors have summarized their own experience and results collected by PhD and DSc students under their supervision dedicated to assessment of durability of these concretes, in particular, for marine engineering applications. In order to bring these advanced materials into practice of construction worldwide, two rilem (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Struc‐ tures) committees have been founded: “Alkali-activated Materials” (2010–2013) and “Durability Testing of Alkali Activated Materials” (2013–ongoing).