Experimental and analytical investigation on the age-dependent tensile strength of low-calcium fly ash-based concrete

In this study, the age-dependent splitting and flexural tensile strength have been investigated by incorporating the various percentages of fly ash in the plain concrete mixes. The partial replacement of cement by fly ash was varied from 0 to 60% on an equal weight basis. Standard concrete specimens were cast for measuring splitting and flexural tensile strength at different ages, i.e., 7, 28, 56, 90, 150, and 180 days, for all plain and fly ash concrete mixes. Experimental results show that the fly ash produced a significant effect on the tensile strength of concrete mixes. It has been observed that the fly ash concrete mixes gain considerable tensile strength with respect to age beyond 28 days. In the low-calcium fly ash concrete mixes, the rate of development of tensile strength from 28 to 180 was observed higher in comparison with the plain concrete mixes. The assessment of the existing models for the estimation of age-dependent tensile strength recommended by design codes and researchers with experiments has also been done on various mixes of plain and fly ash concrete. New models to predict the age-dependent splitting and flexural tensile strength of concrete having different percentages of fly ash are proposed. The present experimental and analytical study will be helpful for the designers and practicing engineers for fixing preliminary dimensions of reinforced and prestressed concrete members and mix proportioning of low-calcium fly ash concrete mixes.