High-Volume Class F Fly Ash Concrete Definition of HVFAC The most commonly accepted definition is: Concrete mixtures

s containing more than 50% fly ash by mass of cementitious material with a low water content (w/cm < 0.4). The term High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete (HVFAC) originated from Dr. Malhotra in the 1980s when working with CANMET (Canada Centre for Energy and Mineral Technology). (Reiner and Rens, 2006), (Burden, 2006) Why Class F Fly Ash? Most of the research on high-volume fly ash concrete has been done using Class F fly ash. There was already widespread usage of Class F fly ash in concrete prior to the research, and Class F fly ash was abundant in the area where the CANMET research was being conducted.

The Properties of Fresh HVFAC Workability Fly ash increases workability when compared with conventional concrete with the same water content. However, HVFAC normally incorporates a very low water to cementitious material ratio (~0.30) to achieve comparable early strengths as conventional portland cement mixtures. Therefore, the use of superplasticizers is common. Slump values less than 5 can be achieved high volume fly ash mixtures without the use of a superplasticizer. However, the water to cementitious materials ratio of these mixtures will be around 0.40.

 Air Entraining of HVFAC HVFAC often requires higher doses of air entraining admixtures due to adsorption of the AEA by carbon in the fly ash. Bleeding HVFAC is typically made with a very low water to cementitious materials ratio therefore bleeding is not usually a problem. Precautions when placing HVFAC in hot weather should be considered to avoid plastic shrinkage cracking. Setting Times The low cement content of HVFAC and the slow reacting property of fly ash increases setting times. An additional 1 to 2 hours to final set has been shown for HVFAC. Special measures may be required when using HVFAC in cold weather to avoid significant strength retardation.

Properties of Hardened HVFAC Autogenous Temperature Rise HVFAC has been proven to be beneficial in reducing the potential for cracking in mass foundations due to temperature differentials. Drying Shrinkage and Creep The water reducing effect of fly ash is beneficial in reducing the amount of drying shrinkage. There is less portland cement paste volume in HVFAC which also helps to reduce shrinkage. Studies have shown the drying shrinkage of HVFAC to be equal or less than that of conventional concrete. The creep strains of HVFAC can be higher or lower than conventional concrete depending on the age of the concrete when loaded. The strength gain of HVFAC is slower than conventional concrete, therefore higher strains may be noticed early. The quality of fly ash can also influence the strength gain and therefore the creep strains Strength Properties HVFAC requires lower w/cm ratios to obtain comparable early age compressive strengths as conventional concrete. Adequate curing of HVFAC is critical to strength development. A minimum of 7 days of moist curing of HVFAC required for optimum strength and durability. The early compressive strength is a function of the coarseness of the fly ash used and the amount of cement replaced with fly ash. Higher values of cement replacement with fly ash will require lower water contents to achieve the same compressive strength. The long term compressive strength of HVFAC normally exceeds that of conventional concrete. Longer term (56 day) compressive strength requirements are often specified. The ratios of the flexural and tensile strength to the compressive strength are comparable to conventional concrete.

 Durability The long term permeability of HVFAC is very low when the concrete has been adequately cured (at least 7 days). Using the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test, typical ranges for HVFAC are 500 to 2000 coulombs at 28 days, and from 200 to 700 coulombs at 91 days. The freezing and thawing resistance of HVFAC is adequate as long sufficient air voids are incorporated. De-icing salt scaling has been shown to be a problem for HVFAC in the lab. HVFAC is not recommended for applications where there will exposure to de-icing salts. The causes of severe deicing scaling of HVFAC has not been determined, further research is needed. Conclusion HVFAC has proven to be effective in controlling thermal gradients in mass concrete applications, and sufficient research exists for HVFAC to be applied judiciously in other structural applications as well. A lower w/cm ratio is normally used in HVFAC in order to get comparable early age strengths as conventional concrete and for high durability. Adequate curing is required (minimum 7 days) and use well graded aggregate.The quality control of the fly ash used is essential. Coarse fly ashes can have a high impact on strength gain. Do not use HVFAC when there is the potential for deicing salt exposure.

Information from: http://people.ce.gatech.edu/~kk92/hvfac.pdf Will Haynes CEE 8813