Calcium sodium aluminosilicate hydrate C-(N-)A-S-H gels, formed through the alkali-activation of calcium silicate-based materials, may exhibit greater susceptibility to aqueous environments when compared to traditional C-(A-)S-H phases formed by hydration of blended Portland cements. This study investigates structural changes in synthesized C-(N-)A-S-H gels triggered by water immersion. Three gels have been examined, each with stoichiometrically controlled ratios of Ca/Si (0.8 and 1.2), Al/Si (0.1 and 0.3), and Na/Si (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3). The gel with a higher Ca/Si ratio demonstrated enhanced resistance to water leaching and only experienced marginal decalcification whereas the gels with lower Ca/Si ratios exhibited more pronounced effects including leaching losses of Si. Notably, all gels displayed rapid and substantial sodium leaching, contributing to an increased degree of polymerization for the aluminosilicate tetrahedra in the gels. A plausible mechanism for this change is that Na leaches out from the interlayer and Ca ions progressively take over the role of charge compensators in the interlayer of the C-(N-)A-S-H structure.

Due to the satisfactory property and high productivity, heat-cured concretes have been widely used in engineering practice. However, heat curing process also brings some drawbacks that are detrimental to the long-term property of this material. To address this issue, lightweight fine aggregate (LWFA) was employed to provide internal curing (IC) for a heat-cured mortar (HCM) blended with fly ash (FA). The influences of LWFA on the interior relative humidity of HCM and the reaction environment and behavior of FA were measured. It was found that IC of LWFA could mitigate the drop of interior humidity and enhance the reaction degrees of cement and FA. This contributed significantly to the microstructure densification of HCM, higher compressive strength and better resistance to chloride ion. The results indicate that LWFA benefits to enhancing the efficiency of FA in a heat curing system and the combination of LWFA and FA contribute to improving the long-term property of HCM.