Abstract
Strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) is a kind of construction material that exhibits multiple cracking and strain-hardening behaviors. The partial replacement of cement with fly ash is beneficial to the formation of the tensile strain-hardening property of SHCC, the increase of environmental greenness, and the decrease of hydration heat, as well as the material cost. This study aimed to develop a sustainable construction material using a high dosage of fly ash (no less than 70% of the binder material by weight). Based on the micromechanics analysis and particle size distribution (PSD) optimization, six mixes with different fly ash to cement ratios (2.4–4.4) were designed. The mechanical properties of the developed high-volume fly ash SHCCs (HVFA-SHCCs) were investigated through tensile tests, compressive tests, and flexural tests. Test results showed that all specimens exhibited multiple cracking and strain-hardening behaviors under tension or bending, and the compressive strength of the designed mixes exceeded 30MPa at 28 days, which is suitable for structural applications. Fly ash proved to be beneficial in the improvement of tensile and flexural ductility, but an extremely high volume of fly ash can provide only limited improvement. The HVFA-SHCC mix FA3.2 (with fly ash to binder ratio of about 76% by weight) designed in this study is suggested for structural applications.
Highlights
Coal-burning thermal power stations are still the major source providing power globally
Two linearthe variable (LVDTs) of theplaced specimen could lead to loading in the specimen, and, crack width were at the two sides ofeccentric each specimen through a self-manufactured aluminumthe alloy frame to was not uniform along the crack plane
The tensile stress-strain curves of the three groups of specimens are shown in Figure 7, in which the results of the specimens with obvious misalignment were excluded. It can be seen from the figures that the strain capacity of FA2.4 was obviously lower than those of FA3.2 and FA4.4
Summary
Coal-burning thermal power stations are still the major source providing power globally. Large quantities of fly ash have been produced by these coal-fired power plants in recent years. The reuse rates of fly ash attributed to these countries are only approximately 70%, 60%, and 50%, respectively [1,2], while large amounts of the remaining fly ash are disposed of in landfills, ash ponds, or mine voids. With these disposal methods, there are potential risks of air pollution and groundwater contamination due to the leakage of fly ash [3,4,5]. Fly ash has been suggested to be useful in beneficial applications, such as in agriculture, hazardous waste
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