Consistency of Performance of Concretes With and Without Fly Ash

Abstract

Fly ash and other pozzolans are increasingly used in concretes that must consistently achieve high compressive strength and other measures of performance. In contemporary design and construction practice, however, there is some concern as to whether or not use of commercial fly ash materials contribute to or reduce variations observed in field compressive strengths and properties of the fresh concrete. Regardless of its potential for improving the performance of the concrete, if the daily ongoing use of commercial fly ash will decrease the consistency of the concrete produced, the use of fly ash will be curtailed. In this paper, the experiences of geographically diverse, specific concrete suppliers using their respective sources of fly ash are summarized in detail. The nominal compressive strength of concretes, made with and without fly ash, are analyzed statistically. Special attention is given to moderate- and high-strength concretes. In conclusion, it is shown that concretes made with fly ash may not be more consistent than concretes with only portland cement.