A multi-perspective study on the influence of physical and chemical properties of 5 types of fly ash on the performance of high-volume blended fly ash cementitious slurry

The study has investigated the influence of the physical and chemical properties of five types of fly ash on the performance of high volume blended fly ash cementitious (HFC) materials. The study found that the vitreous element composition of fly ash exhibits a superior correlation with compressive strength as compared to the overall element composition. Moreover, the cumulative heat displays a stronger correlation with compressive strength than the heat flow. Besides, the packing density has a significant effect on the compressive strength of HFC materials. Whereas, the slurry flowability largely depends on the water film thickness. In practical engineering, the slurry compressive strength can be predicted by testing the fly ash vitreous content, cumulative heat data and the packing density of mixed particles in concert. The findings are significant as in practical projects, the performance of cementitious materials is often unstable due to different sources and batches of fly ash. The study provides insights into the factors affecting the rheological properties of the slurry and the hydration behaviour of different fly ash blended slurries. •The influence rules of multiple factors on the hydration behavior of HFC slurries.•The influence of (Al+Ca)/Si in total fly ash or in vitreous humor on HFC slurries.•Relationship of packing density and water film thickness to HFC slurry properties.•The feasibility of predicting the compressive strength prediction of HFC slurry.