Freeze–thaw resistance and transport properties of high-volume fly ash roller compacted concrete designed by maximum density method

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of high-volume fly ash on some durability characteristics of roller compacted concrete (RCC). In addition to a control mixture without fly ash, two different series of mixtures were prepared by partial replacement of either cement or aggregate with fly ash. The mixtures were designed by a maximum density method. A total of 28 mixtures having four different water/binder ratios (0.30, 0.35, 0.40 and 0.45 by mass) were prepared to determine the optimum water/binder ratio. Among these, seven mixtures containing the optimum water content were selected for further experimental study. It was observed that in the mixtures where cement was substituted with fly ash, increasing the fly ash content adversely affected the durability performance up to 90 days. However, fly ash substitution for a part of the aggregate improved the durability characteristics of the mixture as the amount of fly ash increased.