Investigation of the Cementing Efficiency of Fly Ash Activated by Microsilica in Low-Cement Concrete

This paper presents experimental results on the influence of concrete composition factors on the criterion characterizing the ratio between the compressive strength of activated low-cement concrete and clinker consumption. The investigation was carried out using mathematical planning of the experiments. Experimental and statistical models describing the influence of the fly ash, activating additive (microsilica), consumption of cement and aggregates, as well as the superplasticizer on the strength of low-cement concrete under normal hardening conditions and after steaming were obtained. The values of the clinker efficiency criterion and the mineral additive cementing efficiency coefficient were calculated, and models of these parameters were obtained for the investigated concrete compositions. It was shown that the activating effect of microsilica yields an increase in ash cementing efficiency and clinker efficiency criterion in concrete. Using the obtained models, an example for calculating the ash cementing efficiency coefficient is given.