Strength and shrinkage properties of alkali-activated slag concrete containing porous coarse aggregate

An investigation was conducted that examined the effects of internal curing of alkali-activated slag concrete (AAS) by replacing normal weight coarse aggregate with fully saturated blast-furnace slag coarse aggregate. The slow release of moisture from the porous aggregate provides ongoing internal curing of concrete. The study showed that, under drying conditions, the compressive strength was improved and the drying shrinkage was significantly less (40% less than AAS containing normal weight coarse aggregate).