One experimental research with cement substitution by fly ash

Abstract

Compared to all other construction materials, concrete is by far the most utilized construction material worldwide today. Billions of tons of natural virgin materials have been mined and processed worldwide to produce concrete. Such industrial processes and facilities leave significant unfavourable ecological traces in nature. In addition, it is assumed that the concrete production industry together with the cement industry emits seven percent of the total CO2 emissions in the world. For every ton of cement produced, 0.9 ton of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. It is almost certain that there will be no reduction in concrete production in the world in the coming years, but the question arises as to how and in what way to reduce the use of cement in concrete production. One of the mineral additives to the binder is fly ash, which has pozzolanic properties and is produced as a by-product of thermal power plants and is available in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This research considers questions whether and to what extent it is possible to replace cement with fly ash and how this substitution affects the compressive strength of concrete using referenced concrete mix with local concrete ingredients.