Effectiveness of research on fly ash in concrete

Abstract

Energy crises and availability have for a decade funded extensive research and numerous conferences regarding uses of fly ash in concrete. The returns of these investments can be improved by more systematic characterisation of fly ashes and of cements used with them, and by more conceptual approaches to further development of testing methods, incorporating exploration of the energetics of fly ash hydration with cement and of the ways in which fly ash may improve the microstructure of cement paste, whether hydrated or as “micro-aggregate”. Suggestions are presented for desirable changes of the planning of research and communication of research results.