Influence of fly ash fineness on the chloride penetration of concrete

In this paper, the resistance to chloride penetration of concrete containing fly ash of various finenesses was examined. Three different fly ash finenesses viz., original fly ash, 45% fine portion and 10% fine portion fly ashes were used for the study. Chloride resistance of concretes was evaluated using the measurement of the Coulomb charge as per ASTM C1202 and by determination of chloride ingress after different periods of exposure to 3% NaCl solution in full immersion and partial immersion modes. From the tests, it is found that the resistance to chloride penetration of concrete depends on the fineness of fly ash. The rapid chloride permeability test (ASTM C1202) clearly indicates that the Coulomb charge of concrete at the age of 28 days is significantly reduced with the incorporation of fly ash. The decrease is promoted with an increase in fly ash fineness. The immersion of cut cylinders in the 3% NaCl solution for 3 and 6 months confirm that the resistance of the chloride penetration of concrete increases with an incorporation with fly ash and with an increase in the fly ash fineness.