Enhancing frost resistance of alkali-activated slag concrete using surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium abietate, and triterpenoid saponins

Jiang, Xuekun; Jia, Zhirong; Han, Yaoxi; Yang, Xinyu; Wang, Xuejing; Wu, Jiantong

doi:10.1515/rams-2025-0176

Abstract

To investigate surfactants for enhancing the frost resistance of alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC), three surfactants were selected: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), Sodium Abietate (SA), and Triterpenoid Saponins (TS). The setting time of alkali-activated slag (AAS) was tested at surfactant dosages of 0.01 %, 0.03 %, 0.05 %, 0.07 %, and 0.09 %. The 28 days compressive strength, freeze-thaw resistance (mass loss, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME), and strength loss after 28 cycles), and water absorption were evaluated. The microstructure was observed using a scanning electron microscope, and the hole structure was analyzed using mercury intrusion porosimeter. The results indicate that all three surfactants reduce the initial setting time and increase the final setting time of AAS. When the dosage of TS is 0.01 %, the mass loss after 20 freeze-thaw cycles is reduced by 39.2 %, the RDME increases by 13.9 %, the water absorption rate is reduced by 50 %, and the compressive strength loss rate is reduced by 55.3 %. The incorporation of TS surfactants increases the number of closed micro-bubbles in the concrete, reduces the most probable hole size and average hole size, and decreases the proportion of large and harmful holes that improved the frost resistance of AASC.

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Enhancing frost resistance of alkali-activated slag concrete using surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium abietate, and triterpenoid saponins

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