Greg Van Rooyen - CoC Seminar and Panel Session

Abstract: Fly ash is a by-product of coal combustion power generation and is an essential cementitious ingredient in concrete manufacture. Fly ash provides multiple benefits to concrete including the reduction in cement content and associated greenhouse gas emissions, enhancement of plastic concrete properties and improvement of concrete durability. These benefits have resulted in widespread use fly ash, however with the move away from coal fired power generation the volume and quality of fly ash will reduce and as such an alternative material is required by the concrete industry. Over time coal combustion products have been collected in ponds or repositories at coal fired power stations. It is estimated that in excess of 400 million tons of this material is currently stored in Australia. These ponds are environmentally sensitive and require management and as such represent an environmental and financial burden on the operator and government. With the move away from coal powered electricity generation and reduction in fly ash production recycling of pond ash provides a potential resource for use in the construction industry. This research aims to assess the requirements for material qualification and use in concrete to enable increased industry acceptance and use of the material so as to ensure the ongoing reduction of greenhouse emissions of concrete and reduce the environmental and financial burden on the owners and public with regard these pond ash repositories. The study will initially undertake characterisation, including physical and performance properties such as particle size and pozzolanicity assessment of the ash sources and develop a set of methods and guidelines for producers to include the pond ash, with minimal processing, into commercial concrete supply. The study will also include performance and durability testing to aid in the uptake of this material by industry and gain acceptance of its use by specifying authorities.

Registration via: https://unisq.zoom.us/j/82663149472?pwd=ZURkaDbuaFumShTuEU4y700cFcSFAb.1&from=addon