Compressive strength development of calcium aluminate cement–GGBFS blends

The compressive strength development of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) blends that were subjected to different curing regimes are investigated. The blends had GGBFS/CAC ratios between 0% and 80%, by mass. Mortar specimens, prepared with a water:binder:sand ratio of 1:2:6, were subjected to seven different curing regimes and the compressive strengths were monitored up to 210 days. In order to understand the effect of temperature on compressive strength development, XRD analyses were also conducted on paste specimens of CAC–GGBFS blends at 28 and 210 days. The experimental analysis results revealed that in CAC–GGBFS combinations, particularly where GGBFS was the main constituent, the formation of stable straetlingite (C2ASH8) instead of calcium aluminate hydrates hindered the unwanted conversion reactions.