An experimental and numerical study on the cracking of alkali-activated slag pastes induced by water immersion

Cementitious materials can achieve desirable strength development and reduced cracking potential under moist or immersed conditions. However, in this work, we found that alkali-activated slag (AAS) pastes can crack underwater, with a higher silicate modulus showing more pronounced cracking. Chemically, the C-(N-)A-S-H gel in the paste with a higher silicate modulus showed a higher Na/Si ratio and a higher leaching loss of Na, which led to more significant structural changes and gel deterioration underwater. This triggered the propagation of cracks initially present in the material. Physically, the paste with a higher silicate modulus featured a denser microstructure, lower water permeability and higher pore pressure, which resulted in a steeper gradient of pore pressure in the matrix. Consequently, the concentration of tensile stress was simulated at the centre and the corner of the cross-section of the sample. As this simulated concentrated stress exceeded the flexural strength of AAS pastes, significant fractures at the centre and spalling at the corner occurred, consistent with the experimental observation. This work not only elucidated the cracking mechanisms of AAS materials underwater but also provided new insights into mixture designs for these materials under high-humidity conditions.