Shelf life of alkali activated cement: Effects of storage condition and duration

[Display omitted] •Effects of storage duration and condition on the cement were investigated.•Storage in exposed condition yields to formation of clusters of cement particles.•Storage condition significantly affected the short-term mechanical properties. Hydraulic cements based on the alkali aluminosilicate chemistry tend to be more reactive than Type I Portland cement. An experimental investigation was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of storage in air and in sealed condition on the properties and performance of alkali aluminosilicate cements. Different storage durations up to 28 days were considered in this experimental study. Hydraulic cements were evaluated based on their morphology, chemistry and mineralogy, hydration kinetics, strength development characteristics, and microstructure of the resultant hydration products. The early-age hydration kinetics and strength development characteristics of the alkali aluminosilicate cement were found to be altered by storage, especially when the cement was exposed to air. Older cements also produced hydration products that were more susceptible to microcracking when dried under vacuum. Longer-term strength development characteristics of cements were less influenced than their shorter-term strength development characteristics with duration of storage in sealed or exposed condition.