Enhancement on mechanical and durability performances of binary cementitious systems by optimizing particle size distribution of fly ash

Abstract

Fly ash is a well-known supplementary cementitious material that is the by-product of coal-fired thermal power plants. The contribution of fly ash to the enhancement of the mechanical and durability properties of cementitious materials has been documented in concrete technology for many years. In this study, to allow superior mechanical and durability properties, fly ash-based mixtures have been produced after optimization of particle size distribution (PSD) of Class F and Class C fly ash according to the formula of Fuller–Thompson. Different distribution modulus values ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 were used to achieve ideal PSD in accordance with the Fuller–Thompson equation. 30% of F- and C-class fly ash by weight of cement were used to replace with cement in cementitious composites by optimizing PSD with help of air jet sieve. The recommended optimization technique improved the 7-, 28- and 90-day compressive and flexural strength results of mortars. Compressive and flexural strength tests and rapid chloride permeability test of cement-based systems incorporating fly ash up to 15% replacement ratio with optimized PSD at 90-days exhibited better results than those of plain samples owing to the filler effect.