Influences of Initial Curing Conditions on the Microstructure of Fly Ash Cement System

In order to study the influences of initial curing conditions on fly ash (FA) cement concrete durability, fly ash cement samples with 30% replacement ratio were fabricated and cured in water at 10°C, 20°C, 30°Cand 40°C for 3d, 7d, 14d and 28d respectively. Hydration degrees of fly ash at early age were measured using the selective dissolve method. Correspondingly the pore structure and morphology of FA-cement mortar and compared cement mortar were studied by using MIP and SEM methods. Then early age compressive strengths of FA-cement concrete and compared normal cement concrete were tested. Experimental results show that initial curing temperatures and ages are important factors to fly ash early age hydration degree, FA-cement system microstructure, morphology and early age compressive strength etc. High curing temperatures and longer curing time can lead higher fly ash hydration degree, and then higher compressive strength of FA-cement concrete, and make the micro-structures of fly ash-cement system denser.