Utilization of lime-based alternative hydration to develop cementless UHPFRC

This study presents that ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced composite can be manufactured based on alternative hydrations of slag hydration and pozzolanic reaction. Without portland cement, combinations of hydrated lime, silica fume, and ground granulated blast furnace slag or quartz powder were shown to be effective in exhibiting superior workability as well as strength. The slag hydration and the pozzolanic reaction contributed significantly to strength development, especially at the early (28 days), respectively. When favorable conditions for the pozzolanic reaction were provided (elevated temeprature curing or the absence of hydraulic materials which perferentially consume water), the chemical reaction from the hydrated lime and silica fume, and resulting strength evolution were experimentally verified. Along with the efficiency of the pozzolanic reaction, it was found that the quartz powder acted as a supplementary silica source at 60 °C when the primary source of silica fume was depleted. •UHPFRC was formulated based on a cementless ternary binder.•Ternary binder composed of hydrated lime, silica fume, GGBFS or quartz.•Hydrated lime served as activator for GGBFS at 20 °C curing condition.•Hydrated lime also stimulated pozzolanic reaction at 60 °C curing condition.•High strength (>100 MPa) achieved from ternary binder after 91 days.