Influence of fly ash on early-age cracking behavior of high-flowing concrete

The effects of quality and content of fly ash on the early-age cracking behavior of high-flowing concrete (HFC) were investigated. The early-age cracking behavior of the HFC was analyzed by combining the tests of evaporation capacity and electrical resistivity of the HFC. In these tests, a modified flat-type specimen was adopted. The results show that the HFC will have a lower evaporation capacity when it is mixed with fine fly ash, while it will have a higher evaporation capacity when grade III fly ash is used as mineral admixture. And the electrical resistivity rate of HFC reduces with the increase of the content of fly ash. A nonlinear relationship exists between the cracking time of HFC and the minimum electrical resistivity. The early-age cracking behavior of HFC with fly ash can be enhanced by appropriately increasing the fine particle content and MgO, K₂O, and SO₃ contents of fly ash. The optimal content of fly ash, which makes a satisfied early-age cracking behavior of HFC, is obtained. And when the content of fly ash exceeds a critical value, the early-age cracking behavior of HFC will rapidly decrease. Foundation item: Project(50478003) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(2002F007) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China