## 1 Introduction
The results revealed that concrete specimens containing properly ground EAFS showed better microstructure, higher compressive strength, lesser porosity and better durability performance compared to the reference blast furnace slag blended cement specimens. Other studies have reported similar results [29; 31; 32; 33]. In addition, raising the fineness of EAFS particles, as well as integrating early thermal curing in the curing stages, led to better hydration performance and a faster early-age hydration [22; 31; 34; 35]. Similar studies found that the compressive strength of alkali-activated concrete cured at 70 \({}^{\circ}\)C was higher than that of concrete cured at 30 \({}^{\circ}\)C [22; 32; 36]. Furthermore, [PERSON] et al. [36] reported later-age improvements in compressive, tensile and flexural strengths with a 20% cement-EAFS replacement. The use of EAFS as a precursor for AAM production usually shows some shortcomings in performance in comparison with FA or GGBS. [PERSON] et al. [25] studied the influence of the optimization of SiO\({}_{2}\)/Na\({}_{2}\)O ratio and Na\({}_{2}\)O/binder percentage on the mechanical performance of mortars with 100% EAFS as a precursor. For a silicate modulus of 1, 1.5 and 2, the highest compressive strengths reported were 16.55 MPa, 17.11 MPa and 22.02 MPa, respectively. In addition, an increase in flexural strength was noticed with the increase in silicate modulus resulting in values of 2.85 MPa, 3.09 MPa and 4.18 MPa for SiO\({}_{2}\)/Na\({}_{2}\)O ratios of 1, 1.5 and 2, respectively. Moreover, the highest mechanical strengths were all reached under an 80 \({}^{\circ}\)C curing temperature and 12 h curing time. [PERSON] et al. [37] investigated the influence of the NaOH and KOH concentration, solid to liquid ratio and temperature on the dissolution kinetics of Si and Al in EAFS. In the study, the increase in alkaline solution concentrations (NaOH or KOH) increased the dissolution of Si and Al of EAFS. curing on the strength development and shrinkage of alkali-activated EAFS mortars, after reporting an increase in compressive strength from 14 MPa to 21 MPa after a thermal curing stage at 70 \({}^{\circ}\)C with durations ranging between 3 h and 24 h, respectively [38]. [PERSON] et al. [39] studied the influence of different slag mixtures containing EAFS and ladle furnace basic slag (LS) with different mixing ratios and activated using potassium silicate with a fixed ratio to slag of 1/2. A compressive strength of 56.7 MPa was reported using an EAFS/LS ratio of 1/1. This optimal mixture was used to understand the influence of thermal curing on strength development. The results indicated that the specimens cured at 70 \({}^{\circ}\)C for 3 days attained similar compressive strength (-56 MPa) to that of specimens cured at room temperature for 28 days. Despite the effort made, little is known on the use of EAFS as full binder replacement, and more experimental studies should take place to further explore this interesting research idea. In addition, the optimization of the alkali activators may pave the way toward more encouraging results, but the mechanical performance values recorded so far are not market competitive. This eagerness toward achieving better performance raised the idea of carbonation as a curing method. Exploiting the possibility of curing the EAFS concrete with CO\({}_{2}\)[40; 41; 42], by taking advantage of its CaO-rich chemistry, will not only lead to better mechanical performance but also an added value to CO\({}_{2}\)-capturing revolutionary technologies. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [40] assessed the carbonation behavior of six cementitious materials (cement, FA, GGBFS, EAFS, and hydrated lime) to determine and compare the strength development, %CO\({}_{2}\) uptake and carbonation degree for each one of them.