Flow behavior and strength for fly ash blended cement paste and mortar

In this study, compressive strength and flow behavior of fly ash incorporated cement paste and mortar were investigated. For this purpose, four water to binder ratios (w/(c + f)) such as 0.25, 0.35, 0.45 and 0.55 with three curing ages and five wide range of fly ash replacement levels (f/c ratio) namely 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 were introduced in the experimental scheme. The workability of the mixture was ensured through Marsh cone and flow table tests for fly ash blended cement paste and mortar, respectively. The test result showed that compressive strength increases with age as expected in all cases and an empirical relationship for compressive strength of blended cement paste and mortar with mix factors such as w/(c + f) ratio, f/c ratio and age is also proposed. The estimated compressive strength versus w/(c + f) ratio curves for different curing ages and f/c ratios resembles the nature of Abrams’ strength versus w/c ratio curves.