The lead, zirconate, and titanium (PZT) sensor is developed to monitor the changes in alkali activated fly ash-slag binders (AAFS). The durability of PZT sensors is verified for their suitability to monitor changes in high alkaline cementitious mediums. The PZT sensor is used to monitor the changes in workability, set behavior and elastic property development in AAFS binders. The sensors are placed in mixes with different fly ash and slag compositions to understand the influence of fly ash and slag ratio on properties of AAFS binders. The electrical impedance (EI) response of the PZT sensor is extracted to monitor the changes in workability and set behavior of the mixes. The changes in the elastic modulus of the AAFS binders with hydration are measured from the vibration response of the cylinder samples extracted using the embedded sensors. The isothermal calorimetry is performed to measure the kinetics of hydrations of these binders. The changes in EI response parameters are correlated with the changes in kinetics of hydration to validate the sensitivity of the EI parameters to monitor the changes in workability and set behavior. The embedded PZT sensors are very effective in capturing the changes in workability, state transition and elastic properties.

The workability, set behavior and elastic property development in AAFS binder system is highly influenced by the slag content in the mix. The hardened state of these AAFS binders achieved in 2 hours of hydration and the changes in elastic modulus are minimal after the 3 days of hydration. The uncontrolled setting, in AAFS binders needs careful study to transform these materials from laboratory to field.