The Research-Technology Interface in the Fly Ash-Concrete Regime

ABSTRACTOpportunities for development of the use of fly ash in blends with Portland cement by improvement of the relevant research are discussed in view of the currently modest growth of the fly ash utilization, despite copious research activity during the past decade. Refined characterization is suggested of the decisive parameters of the chemistry, mineralogy and granulometry of both the components of the reacting, blended system, and also of the effects induced by chemical admixtures. Effective dispersion of the finest particle fractions in the fresh paste, and monitored integral hydration are indispensable successive precursors for the creation of a blended, hardened cement paste which acts as a “microconcrete”, having dense matrix consisting of fully hydrated, finest fractions of both source materials and coarser unhydrated particles representing “microaggregates”. Surface chemistry and energetics are emphasized as essential scientific regimes to apply for the explanatory research having as their aim substantial increases of the replacement ratios of fly ash to cement in concrete.The Materials Research Society (MRS) is a possible instrument for activity to encourage development of research planning and management methods, which are used in other fields of materials research, to strengthen research as an instrument for effective recovery of the chemical energy inherent in fly ash and for improvement of concrete durability.