Strength Of Fly Ash Concrete Research Articles

Influence of bacteria on the compressive strength, water absorption and rapid chloride permeability of fly ash concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the influence of Sporoscarcina pasteurii bacteria on the compressive strength and rapid chloride permeability of concrete made without and with fly ash. Cement was replaced with three percentages (10, 20 and 30) with fly ash by weight. Three different cell concentration (0, 10 3,10 5,10 7 cells/ml) of bacteria were used in making the concrete mixes. Tests were performed for compressive strength, water absorption and rapid chloride permeability at the age of 28 days. Test results indicated that inclusion of S. pasteurii in fly ash concrete enhanced the compressive strength, reduced the porosity and permeability of fly ash concrete. Maximum increase (22%) in compressive strength and four-times reduction in water absorption was observed with 10 5 cells/ml of bacteria. This improvement in compressive strength was due to deposition on the bacteria cell surfaces within the pores. Calcite deposition in concrete observed nearly eight times reduction in chloride permeability of fly ash concrete. The present work highlights the influence of bacteria on the properties of concrete made with supplementing cementing material such as like fly ash. Usage of bacteria like S. pasteurii improves strength and durability and strength of fly ash concrete through self-healing effect.

Proposal of a Simplified Prediction Formula for Compressive Strength of Fly Ash Concrete

To propose a prediction formula of compressive strength of concretes containing fly ash (FA concrete), over 1600 strength data are collected from previous studies and discussed in this study. In particular, the study focuses on developing strengths of FA concrete. The study deals with test data of concrete with wide range of FA replacement, namely 0-50% by mass of cement. Compressive strength at age of 7 days has strongly relation to the cement-water ratio, so the strength can be predicted by using only water and cement contents. In addition, early age strengths within 7 days can be estimated by using the Goral curve based on strength ratio. Strength after the age of 7 days can be predicted by using replacement ratio of fly ash because the strength ratios are proportional to the replacement ratio. Based on the findings, a simplified formula for predicting compressive strength at various ages is proposed in the paper.

Effects of Elevated Temperatures on the Compressive Strength of HFCC

This paper presents the results of elevated temperatures on the compressive of high fly ash content concrete (HFCC). The specimens were prepared with three different replacements of cement by fly ash 30%, 40% and 50% by mass and the residual compressive strength was tested after exposure to elevated temperature 250, 450, 550 and 650°C and room temperature respectively. The results showed that the compressive strength apparently decreased with the elevated temperature increased. The presence of fly ash was effective for improvement of the relative strength, which was the ratio of residual compressive strength after exposure to elevated temperature and ordinary concrete. The relative compressive strength of fly ash concrete was higher than those of ordinary concrete. Based on the experiments results, the alternating simulation formula to determine the relationship among relative strength, elevated temperature and fly ash replacement is developed by using regression of results, which provides the theoretical basis for the evaluation and repair of HFCC after elevated temperature.

Study on Residual Splitting Tensile Strength of HFCC after High Temperature

This paper presents the results of the splitting tensile strength of high fly ash content concrete (HFCC) after high temperature and analysis the degraded rules of the residual splitting strength subjected to high temperature and the replacements of cement by fly ash. The specimens were prepared with three different replacements of cement by fly ash 30%, 40% and 50% by mass and were tested after exposure to high temperature 250, 450, 550 and 650°C and room temperature respectively, compared with ordinary Portland cement concrete. The results showed that the splitting tensile strength sensitively decreased with the high temperature increased. Furthermore, the presence of fly ash was effective for improvement of the relative strength. The relative residual splitting strength of fly ash concrete was higher than those of ordinary Portland cement concrete except 30% fly ash replacement. Based on the experiments results, the alternating simulation formula to determine the relationship among relative residual strength, high temperature and fly ash replacement is developed by using regression of results, which provides the theoretical basis for the evaluation and repair of HFCC after high temperature.

Technical Research on Quality Control of Fly Ash Concrete

Based on comprehensive quality management theory, we have studied quality factors of fly ash high-performance concrete in construction, put forward the method of beforehand control, course control and afterwards control. From the project construction of the actual conditions, the raw material selection, mixture design and try gradation and concrete performance of fly ash concrete, has been comprehensively studied and analysised. The optimal dosage of fly ash has been determined with good workability of different fly ash concrete strength grade and mechanical properties meeting the design requirements and good durability, which demonstrates the good effect of the high-performance concrete implementation of total quality control management through the engineering practice.

Experimental Study on Improving the early Strength of Fly Ash Concrete

This manuscript makes experiments on the macroscopic concrete strength improvement of fly ash activation at early age. At the same time we test the microstructure of fly-ash waste residue concrete cementious materials and calculus, analyzing HPC preliminary mechanism tentatively. The mechanism of improving the early concrete strength by fly ash activation is expatiated, which improves activation mechanism and technology of fly ash.

Properties of fly ash concrete modified with hydrated lime and silica fume

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the properties of fly ash concrete incorporating either hydrated lime or silica fume to improve the early strength of concrete. Test results indicated that the addition of lime and silica fume improved the early age compressive strength of fly ash concrete. The inclusion of silica fume was also found to increase the 28 days strength significantly. The air permeability of concrete containing lime and silica fume either decreased or remained almost the same when compared to the concrete without these. The addition of lime and silica fume also improved the sorptivity of concrete. Through the use of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TG), it was demonstrated that the addition of hydrated lime increased the Ca(OH) 2 content; whereas the addition of silica fume decreased the Ca(OH) 2 content in the cement paste. The mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) data confirmed the beneficial action of hydrated lime and silica fume, towards decreasing the total pore volume of fly ash cement paste.

Effects of GH admixture on the early strength of fly ash concrete and mortar

The enhancement effects of GH admixture on the early strengths of fly ash concrete and mortar were studied, and the mechanism was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electro microscope (SEM). Experimental results show that, by the incorporation of GH admixture, both of cement hydration and pozzolanic reaction of fly ash are accelerated, the strengths of fly ash concrete and mortar are enhanced noticeably, especially the early strength. With a mixture design of 200 kg/m3 OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement), 200 kg/m3 fly ash and 50 kg/m3 GH admixture, the strength of concrete at 1 d, 3 d and 28 d reaches 25 MPa, 50 MPa and 70 MPa respectively.

Effect of steam curing on class C high-volume fly ash concrete mixtures

The effect of steam curing on concrete incorporating ASTM Class C fly ash (FA), which is widely available in Turkey, was investigated. Cement was replaced with up to 70% fly ash, and concrete mixtures with 360 kg/m 3 cementitious content and a constant water/binder ratio of 0.4 were made. Compressive strength of concrete, volume stability of mortar bar specimens, and setting times of pastes were investigated. Test results indicate that, under standard curing conditions, only 1-day strength of fly ash concrete was low. At later ages, the strength values of even 50% and 60% fly ash concretes were satisfactory. Steam curing accelerated the 1-day strength but the long-term strength was greatly reduced. Setting time of fly ash–cement pastes and volume stability of mortars with 50% or less fly ash content were found to be satisfactory for standard specimens. In addition, for steam curing, this properties were acceptable for all replacement ratios.

Flexural strength of fly ash concrete under elevated temperatures

Concrete elements exposed to fire undergo temperature gradients and, as a result, the surface layers spall, exposing steel reinforcement. Relatively few studies have been undertaken on heat-induced changes in fly ash concrete. The structural property of concrete that has been studied most widely as a function of heat exposure is compressive strength. Less attention has been given to flexural strength as influenced by heat exposure. Therefore, to investigate the effect of temperature on the flexural strength of fly ash concrete, the present study was carried out with M28, M33 and M35 grades of concrete. Concrete specimens 100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm with partial replacement of cement by fly ash (10%, 20% and 30% replacement levels) were heated to 100°C, 200°C and 250°C for 1 h, 2 h and 3 h duration in an electric oven. The specimens were tested for flexural strength in the hot condition immediately after removing from the oven. The fly ash concrete showed consistently the same pattern of behaviour as that of concrete without fly ash under elevated temperatures during flexure. The fly ash concrete with fly ash content up to 20% showed improved performance compared with the specimens without fly ash by retaining a greater amount of its strength.

Flexural strength of fly ash concrete under elevated temperatures

Flexural strength of fly ash concrete under elevated temperatures

Properties of concrete incorporating high volumes of class F fly ash and san fibers

The results of an experimental investigation to study the effects of replacement of cement (by mass) with three percentages of fly ash and the effects of addition of natural san fibers on the slump, Vebe time, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength of fly ash concrete are presented. San fibers belong to the category of “natural bast fibers.” It is also known as “sunn hemp.” Its scientific (botanical) name is Crotalaria juncea. It is mostly grown in the Indian subcontinent, Brazil, eastern and southern Africa and some parts of the United States (Hawaii and Florida). A control mixture of proportions 1:1.4:2.19 with W/Cm of 0.47 and superplasticizer/cementitious ratio of 0.015 was designed. Cement was replaced with three percentages (35%, 45% and 55%) of class F fly ash. Three percentages of san fibers (0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%) having 25-mm length were used. The test results indicated that the replacement of cement with fly ash increased the workability (slump and Vebe time), decreased compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength and had no significant effect on the impact strength of plain (control) concrete. Addition of san fibers reduced the workability, did not significantly affect the compressive strength, increased the splitting tensile strength and flexural strength and tremendously enhanced the impact strength of fly ash concrete as the percentage of fibers increased.

Prediction of compressive strength of fly ash concrete by new apparent activation energy function

A new prediction model using apparent activation energy is proposed to estimate the variation of compressive strength of fly ash concrete with aging. After analyzing the experimental result with the model, fly ash replacement content and water–binder ratio influence on apparent activation energy was investigated. According to the analysis, the model provides a good estimation of compressive strength development of fly ash concrete with aging. As the fly ash replacement content increases, limiting relative compressive strength and initial apparent activation energy increase. Concrete with water–binder ratio smaller than 0.40 gives nearly constant limiting relative compressive strength and initial apparent activation energy when analyzed with various water–binder ratios. However, concrete with water–binder ratio larger than 0.40 increases limiting relative compressive strength and initial apparent activation energy.

The use of a non-standard high calcium fly ash in concrete and its response to accelerated curing

An experimental work was carried out to investigate the use of a non-standard high calcium fly ash in concrete. The response of the same fly ash to the accelerated curing was also explored. With three different cementitious material contents, a total of 48 concretes were produced. The water/ cement ratios were varied from 0.40 to 0.87. Compressive strengths of the moist cured cube specimens cast from the concrete mixtures made with 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% replacement of normal Portland cement with fly ash were measured at 28 days and 3 months. Accelerated compressive strengths were also measured using warmwater method and boiling-water method in accordance with the relevant ASTM and Turkish Standards. Despite the fact that the fly ash used was a non-standard, the laboratory test results showed that it could be utilized in concrete production at a replacement level between 15% and 30% by weight basis because fly ash concrete developed comparable or higher compressive strength than that of corresponding normal Portland cement concrete. The laboratory test results also indicated that the accelerated curing could be used to predict the compressive strength of fly ash concrete with 85% correlation coefficient. The amount of fly ash was found to be immaterial in the strength prediction. The relation between warm-water method and boiling-water method was of linear form with 93% correlation coefficient.

Strength and microstructural characteristics of chemically activated fly ash–cement systems

The use of fly ash as a cement replacement material increases the long-term strength and durability of concrete. Despite these great benefits, the use of fly ash is limited due to the low early strength of fly ash concrete. To eliminate this problem, many studies have been conducted on accelerating the pozzolanic properties of fly ash. The study reported below investigated the strength and microstructural characteristics of fly ash–cement systems containing three kinds of activators—Na2SO4, K2SO4, and triethanolamine—to accelerate the early strength of fly ash mortars. Through the use of thermal gravity analysis, it was demonstrated that the activators not only decreased or maintained the amount of Ca(OH)2 products, but also increased the production of ettringite at early ages. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microcopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry also confirmed that in the early curing stages of fly ash–cement pastes containing activators, large amounts of ettringite were formed, resulting in a reduction in the pore size ranging from 0.01 to 5 μm. The research results support the supposition that the addition of small amounts of activators is a viable solution for increasing the early-age compressive strength of fly ash concrete.

Use of ternary cementitious systems containing silica fume and fly ash in concrete

This paper reports the results from laboratory studies on the durability of concrete that contains ternary blends of portland cement, silica fume, and a wide range of fly ashes. Previous work has shown that high CaO fly ashes are generally less effective in controlling alkali silica reactivity (ASR) and sulfate attack compared with Class F or low lime fly ashes. Indeed, in this study it was shown that replacement levels of up to 60% were required to control expansion due to ASR with some fly ashes. However, combinations of relatively small levels of silica fume (e.g., 3 to 6%) and moderate levels of high CaO fly ash (20 to 30%) were very effective in reducing expansion due to ASR and also produced a high level of sulphate resistance. Concretes made with these proportions generally show excellent fresh and hardened properties since the combination of silica fume and fly ash is somewhat synergistic. For instance, fly ash appears to compensate for some of the workability problems often associated with the use of higher levels of silica fume, whereas the silica fume appears to compensate for the relatively low early strength of fly ash concrete. Diffusion testing indicates that concrete produced with ternary cementitious blends has a very high resistance to the penetration of chloride ions. Furthermore, these data indicate that the diffusivity of the concrete that contains ternary blends continues to decrease with age. The reductions are very significant and have a considerable effect on the predicted service life of reinforced concrete elements exposed to chloride environments.

Effets des cendres volantes sur le développement des résistances mécaniques des bétons préfabriqués

The results of an investigation of the influence of fly ashes on the development of mechanical properties of concretes subjected to 24-h thermal curing are presented in this paper. In addition to the curing temperature (23 and 60 °C), the variables studied in this investigation were the type of cement (types 10 and 30) and the source of fly ashes (four different North-American class F fly ashes). Overall, 10 different concrete mixtures were tested. Test results indicate that thermal curing tends to increase significantly the concrete compressive strength in the first 24 h. Data also demonstrate that the thermal curing regime does not have any detrimental effect on the long-term compressive strength of ordinary portland cement concrete. Compressive strength of fly ash concretes was significantly reduced by thermal curing in the 1- to 28-day period, despite an initial increase. The influence of thermal curing on the development of concrete compressive strength is discussed. Key words: compressive strength, steam curing, fly ashes, precast concrete.

Efficiency, skin strength and sorptivity of fly ash concretes

Four grades of concrete with and without fly ash were devised and tested for compressive strength. The concretes were cured in three different curing regimes. The skin strength of concretes under inadequate curing was calculated by assuming a linear model for the variation of strength, and the strength difference between cement and fly ash concretes has been worked out. The skin strength of cement concretes was found to be higher than that of fly ash concretes. The test results were found to be affected by the size of the test specimen, when proper curing was not provided. The difference in sorptivity of fly ash and cement concretes cured for four days and not provided with any initial curing has been included. For all grades of concrete, the sorptivity of fly ash concrete was found to be marginally higher. The difference in sorptivity between fly ash and cement concretes was observed to increase as the strength of the mix decreased. The effect of initial curing was found to be highly significant. The sorptivity of samples with no curing was twice as much as those with four days initial curing. Besides the material properties, the age and strength of a fly ash concrete were also found to be important factors in determining the cementing efficiency of the fly ash.

Modified water/cement ratio law for compressive strength of fly ash concretes

Experimental data are presented which suggest that the development of compressive strength of fly ash concretes can be explained by superposition of two independent mechanical pore-filling mechanisms in the cement—fly ash paste. It is also suggested that the traditional water/cement ratio law for ordinary Portland cement concretes can be applied to fly ash concretes, provided that a slight modification is introduced. This will be of assistance in the design of fly ash concrete mixes for compressive strength.

Superplasticized Structural Concrete Containing High Volume of Class C Fly Ash

Study was made to develop structural grade concrete containing high volume of high calcium fly ash (ASTM Class C). A portland cement concrete, proportioned to have 28-day strength of 6,000 psi was uutilized as a reference concrete. Concrete mixes were proportioned for 4 levels of cement replacement by fly ash. Test results showed that the compressive strength of fly ash concrete was higher than the strength of the reference concrete at 28-day age within the experimental range. The tensile strength of fly ash concrete was reduced above 50%. The study concluded that superplasticized concrete can be proportioned to have 70% cement replacement by fly ash to obtain desired workability and compressive strength for structural applications. Details of the study are described, and the results are discussed.