CiteSpace-based visualization analysis on mappings of alkali-activated cementitious materials in the field of engineering research

Alkali-activated cementitious materials (AACM) became the most promising alternative materials of Portland cement due to their merits including early strength, high environmental adaptability and low environmental impact. The scientific knowledge mapping was drawn with CiteSpace Visual Analysis Software and the method combining qualitative and quantitative analysis, the co-citation network based on the core collection of Web of Science is generated, and frontiers and hotspots of studies in AACM are explored to provide theoretical guidance for subsequent researches. The research results showed that the publications with respect to the field of AACM rocketed recently and had become an increasingly interdisciplinary research subject. Relevant researches were most conducted in China, Australia and USA, however, European countries have a high degree of research content centrality and are closely related to other countries. The most studied materials were the fly ash, slag and metakaolin based on the Visual Analysis, and researchers focused on the modification of AACM and studies in new solid wastes in recently, and the studies targeting at practical engineering applications. National or international agencies are to intensify cooperation and improve practical engineering applications of different AACM to improve scientific research significance. The follow-up researches are prospected in this paper. The relations between the research interest, subject, hotspot, author, journal and contributing institutions are highlighted, promoting comprehensive understandings on the field of AACM.