Strength and Durability Performance of Fly Ash Concrete with and without Superplasticizer

Abstract

In this study, the impact of Fly Ash (FA) with and without a superplasticizer (SP) on the characteristics of binary blend concrete has been documented. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was substituted by 10 to 50% of FA. The assessment covered CS, workability, and the concrete’s resilience. The findings reveal that the most substantial Compressive Strength (CS) was attained using a 20% FA mix in binary concrete compared to the control mix (CM). Satisfactory outcomes were evident in durability assessments. FA with SP increases strength by 15.38% compared to the combination without SP. And for durability the reduction of water absorption percentages around 4% for FA blend concrete when SP is added compared to the blend without SP. Such concrete proves more active in boosting both mechanical and durability aspects while reducing cement usage. Employing industrial by-products renders concrete more sustainable and mitigates environmental concerns.