CE Project: Fly Ash Cement and High Volume Fly Ash Classification

This civil engineering project focuses on the classification of fly ash cement and high volume fly ash cement through an experimental investigation. The project involved the comparison of compressive strength values from fly ash mortar cubes, proportioned with varying compositions of cement a...Read More

CE 2.1 Information on Project
Project’s Name: Classification of Fly Ash Cement and High Volume Fly Ash
Cement
Project’s Location: Please fill
Duration of the Project: Please fill
Organization’s Name: Please fill
My Role as well as Designation during the work: Team Member of the Project
CE 2.2 Background of the Project
CE 2.2.1 Basic Characteristics of this Project
Fly ash is a specific coal ignition product, which could be made of different
particulates and are being driven out of the distinct coal fired boiler altogether with different
flue gas. In this project, I have done an experimental investigation for proper classifications
of the fly ash cement as well as higher volumes fly ash cement by the significant procedure of
contrasting compressive strength value of various mortar cubes of fly ash that are balanced
with the fluctuating composition of fly ash and cement. I have graded fly ash cements on the
basis of the compressive strength value that is gained from the fly ash mortar cube. I had to
conduct an experiment after involving fifty four mortar cubes of fly ash for three different
amounts of cements and fly ashes were being casted as well as immersed within water for
seven days and twenty eight days respectively for portraying their strengths. Therefore, in the
project, I have considered the overall impact of the replacement of cements by fly ashes and
checking if the compressive strength is declining or inclining eventually.

CE 2.2.2 Developed Objectives for the work
I have ensured that this specific work is being executed after subsequent consideration
of several aspects, which are related to fly ash cement. I also had to compare the values of
compressive strength from the respective mortar cube of fly ash cements. Hence, to obtain a
distinct success criterion in the project, few objectives were developed:
 To complete an experimental investigation for the successfully classification of
higher volume fly ash and fly ash cements.
 To compare the values of subsequent strength of the mortar cube for fly ash that are
being balanced with different composition of fly ash and cement.
 To conduct an experiment that would involve fifty four mortar cubes for fly ash for
three different amounts of cement and fly ashes for getting them casted as well as
absorbed within water for seven days and twenty eight days respectively for
portraying their strengths.
 To properly develop a different sequences of higher volume fly ash cements that is
economical and handy for the lower expensive housing project works and also
produces eco-friendly raw materials.
 To grade the higher volume fly ash cements as well as fly ashes with reference to the
values of mean compressive strengths of the mortar cube for fly ashes that are being
casted for the proportion of cement and fly ash.
CE 2.2.3 My working area in this project work
Since I was one of the best students in civil engineering, I was subsequently recruited
as the most responsible participant of my project team by our group leader and supervisor.
This was not the first time that I was executing a civil engineering project work and hence
our entire group did not face any kind of complexity, during positive execution. For this
specific reason, I had to show major interests in executing the project work with three of my

team members and friends. We four had ample interest and experience in executing project
works on fly ash cement and hence the project results were matching with our expected
outcomes eventually.
CE 2.2.4 Group of people Involved in this Project
Figure 1: Group of Individuals involved in work
CE 2.2.5 My major responsibilities as well as duties in the entire work
I had some of the most critical and significant duties in this particular project, being a
responsible team member. At first, I had to research about fly ash cement, for ensuring that
we are able to get accurate and proper results in the project work without much complexity.
As we had to grade the fly ashes cement and higher volume fly ashes cement, after
consideration of the mean values of compressive strengths for the casted mortar cube of fly
ash; this type of researching was extremely vital for our work. My other responsibilities
included different types of fly ash cement as well as their respective applications in the best
possible manner. I even had to focus on the methodology for understanding materials, mix

proportions as well as mixing of the materials. For the final testing, our group leader
suggested to test the cubes on their distinct sides without any type of packing within the steel
platters and cube over the testing machine. I even had the major responsibility to complete
project documentation in the most effective manner.
CE 2.3 Distinct Activities in this Work
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the most Basic Theories Used in this work
To execute this specific work, I had undertaken the most fundamental concepts for
portable cement and mortar cubes. Portland cement is the most vital construction material
that is eventually utilized in any project. I have checked that cement manufacturing releases
several global warming gases such as carbon dioxide and subsequent production of 1 ton of
such cement can release similar amount of carbon dioxide. For the core purpose of reducing
this emission of carbon dioxide, Portland cement is being replaced by the pozzolanic
materials such as fly ash. The higher fineness of fly ash can reduce the pore size and porosity,
so that it becomes easier to increase the compressive strength. I even had to learn about the
different applications of fly ash, which include waste solidification and stabilization,
production of cement clinkers and many more.
The materials that I have used in this project include 53 grade ordinary Portland
cement, Zone 3 fine aggregate and class f fly ashes that was being collected by thermal power
station at Vijayawada. I also to consider about different mix proportions as well as mixing of
materials. The materials for each mould included 200 gm of coarse sand, binder, medium
sand and fine sand respectively.

For the testing purpose, I have tested the mortar cubes on the sides without any kind
of packing within the cube as well as steel plattens over testing machines. The testing was
done after applying load steadily, which start from 0 at the rate of 35N/mm2 in 1 minute.
CE 2.3.2 My major Engineering skills or knowledge that are applied in this work
In this project, I had used my knowledge for structural engineering and mortar mix.
My familiarity with fly ash cement helped me in gaining accurate results without much
complexity. Moreover, different tests were also conducted by me.
CE 2.3.3 Execution of the work and Tasks Accomplished
For successful execution of this work, I had to compare the compressive strength
values for 7 days and 28 days. I checked that amongst every mix, the mixes of 3 days and 7
days helped in achieving 100% OPC with the maximum strength in the 1st layer for
successfully compacting the mortar through vibration. Following is the data about
compressive strength obtained in the work.

Table 1: Compressive Strength Values for 7 and 28 days
After comparing, I understood that compressive strengths for 28 days was higher than
that of 7 days. The formation rate of C S H within the mixture of fly ashes and water was
slower in comparison to the mixture of cement and water.
Figure 2: Graph showing comparison results of compressive strengths
CE 2.3.4 Identified issue with its solution
2.3.4.1 Issue in this project
The most significant process issue met in the work was while doing heat of hydration.
As a huge quantity of heat was unconfined in this particular exothermic reaction, I was
unable to control the temperature eventually. The strength and durability of concrete was
reduced to a high level.
2.3.4.2 Solution to the Identified Technical Difficulty

To resolve the process concern of heat of hydration, I decided to analyze the problem
with my research work. I checked that in several structures, the high heat gain would
increment the chance of thermal cracking and as a result, concrete strength and durability was
reduced. I also checked that the applications of replacing cement by higher percentage of fly
ash could decrease the damaging impacts of thermal cracking. It reduced the issue eventually.
CE 2.3.5 Unique Plan made to provide innovative or creative works
To perfectly obtain the outcomes of this project, I had to take the major decision to
create a specific planning even before initiating my section of work. I did the research works
properly to analyze the results properly and learn about the strength rate of the fly ash
mixtures.
CE 2.3.6 Work Collaborations
With subsequent contribution of three of my friends, I achieved subsequent success
while completing this work eventually. I presented as the team leader in front of our HOD to
provide solutions.
CE 2.4 Overall Reviewing of this Project
CE 2.4.1 Overviewing of this work
The subsequent rate of strengths obtaining capacities of the fly ashes mixtures was
lesser than that of the OPC mixture. I checked that the utilization of fly ash reduced water
content, needed in the mix. I have used higher volume of fly ash as the cement replacement
for better effectiveness. Proper tests were conducted to prove the results.

CE 2.4.2 My Major Contributions
Being an accountable team member, it was core duty to provide solutions to the issue
faced related to heat of hydration. I even conducted the tests and complete project
documentation.