Design of a methodology for the efficient use of fly ash as a partial substitute material for portland cement in concrete mixtures

Abstract

The greatest contribution of CO2 to the environment is attributed to cement production, responsible for 5 to 8% of global emissions. On the other hand, fly ash (FA) is constituted in an ecologically problematic residue due to its outdoor storage in thermoelectric plants. Considering the need to reduce the carbon footprint, quantity and availability of fly ash in México, Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), it is considered an alternative material for the partial replacement of portland cement, boosting its use and contributing to the decrease in consumption of portland cement (PC). Fly ash improves durability properties in concretes, mechanical resistance is a questioned property, since it is an amorphous material, it reacts slowly and does not achieve high resistances at an early age (28 days). This research aims to develop an efficient methodology to improve the durability properties of the concrete with partial replacement of fly ash which will be obtained from articles with results presented looking to optimize the best design. While the results do not show all the properties and benefits of fly ash to use a fly ash as a concrete substitute material should use a low w/c ratio, the fly ash, if used in the natural state, can be used as up to 10% replacement and if it carries a treatment, it can be used up to 50%, as long as the designs are properly performed.