Influence of nucleation seeding on the hydration kinetics and compressive strength of alkali activated slag paste

Addition of pure calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) to alkali-activated slag (AAS) paste resulted in an earlier and larger hydration rate peak measured with isothermal calorimetry and a much higher compressive strength after 1 d of curing. This is attributed to a nucleation seeding effect, as was previously established for Portland cement and tricalcium silicate pastes. The acceleration of AAS hydration by seeding indicates that the early hydration rate is controlled by nucleation and growth. For the experiments reported here, the effect of C–S–H seed on the strength development of AAS paste between 1 d and 14 d of curing depended strongly on the curing method. With sealed curing the strength continued to increase, but with underwater curing the strength decreased due to cracking. This cracking is attributed to differential stresses arising from chemical and autogenous shrinkage. Similar experiments were also performed on Portland cement paste.