High-volume fly ash concrete: Part 2: Durability and radiological properties

Abstract

The reuse of industrial residue streams such as fly ash can be beneficial from economic and ecological points of view but durability properties of the final product and its effect on human health are the key properties to ensure safe inbuilt materials. The focus of the paper is on carbonation resistance of the high-volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC), but also on the radiological aspect of the use of fly ash in concrete as it belongs to the group of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials. HVFAC mixtures were exposed to natural and accelerated carbonation and results were compared and discussed. The contents of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th) were measured and experimental results were compared by using the activity concentration assessment tool - index I.