Using of thermal power plant fly ash to produce semi-lightweight aggregate and concrete

Abstract

This article introduced a zero waste management of pulverized fuel ash in construction sectors via two different approaches. The first one was represented by production of spherical lightweight aggregates from fly ash (FA). The second approach was introduced by producing a non-conventional concrete type namely self-compacting concrete incorporated a high FA content. The production of aggregate and concrete was adopted through the use of lower consumptions of electrical energy. To this aim, fresh aggregate particles were self-cured at ambient temperature for 28 days, whilst no electrical or mechanical vibrators have been used in casting process. The quality of produced aggregate and concrete was examined by different experimental tests. The general conclusion of this study revealed that the use of FA in the production of lightweight aggregate and concrete can be tapped to protect the environment from the side effects of FA. In addition, the produced concrete can be utilized for structural purposes as the lower compressive strength was found to be higher than 55.1 MPa.