This research explores the thermal properties ofvarious alkali-activated concrete (AAC) mortars attemperatures up to 1100°C. Alkali-activated concretesare a type of inorganic polymer that can be used as abinder in place of traditional concrete materials. ManyAACs do not require hydration to maintain a stablestructure. This is beneficial in high temperature accidentconditions, such as a core meltdown at a nuclear powerplant or a structural fire, where dehydration occurs. It isalso beneficial in high temperature operating conditions,such as high temperature gas or liquid metal reactorvessels. AAC mortars synthesized with fly ash,metakaolin, ground glass, and combinations thereof areinvestigated. Specifically, this research studies the effectsof thermal shock loading and exposure to extremetemperatures on the structural integrity of AACs. Tosimulate the unique thermal loading that exists in a coremeltdown, the AACs in this study are exposed to suddenimpulses of heat energy. Additionally, molten metal ispoured on the specimens to emulate the effect of moltencorium dropping from a reactor core. All specimens aresubjected to quenching with water to simulate conditionsduring the extinguishing of a fire or the cooling of a coremeltdown.
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