Properties of Cement-Fly Ash Mixtures With Substandard Fly Ash as a Partial Cement and Fine Aggregate Replacement

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of using a substandard fly ash as a partial cement and/or fine aggregate replacement on the basic and durability properties of cement-fly mixtures. Experimental results showed that utilizing the substandard fly ash led to increase in water requirement and autoclave expansion of pastes. The strength activity indexes of the substandard fly ash passed the requirements of TIS 2135 and ASTM C618. Utilization of the substandard fly ash as cement replacement led to higher expansion of mortar bars stored in water and sodium sulfate expansion as compared to that of the OPC mixture. However, sodium sulfate resistance of mortar mixtures improved when utilizing the substandard fly ash as sand replacement material. The compressive strength of concrete at all ages was higher with the increase of the content of the substandard fly ash as sand replacement material. When the substandard fly ash was used as cement replacement material in concrete, the carbonation depth increased. On the other hand, the use of the substandard fly ash as sand replacement material decreased the carbonation depth of the concrete. Utilization of the substandard fly ash, both to replace cement and/or fine aggregate, reduced the rapid chloride penetration of the concrete.