Mechanical and durability studies on high-volume fly-ash concrete

This article presents the experimental results on accelerated carbonation-induced corrosion and related durability properties such as AC impendence, half-cell potential, water permeability, and volume of permeable voids test of concrete made with high-volume Class F fly ash (FA). Concrete specimens were prepared by substituting ordinary portland cement with FA at varying replacement levels (0-70%). High-volume FA concrete shows the continuous gain in the compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity over a period of 365 days. The durability properties of concrete made with FA up to 50% shows the significant improvement. The scanning electron microscopy photomicrographs also support the findings and shows that the replacement of cement with FA densifies the concrete matrix due to the formation of more calcium silicate hydrate gels.