R-E-D Fly Ash
For High Strength Concrete
R-E-D Fly Ash is a pozzolanic material, captured in electro-static precipitators as a by-product from coal-fired thermal power stations. It consists of small, hard, and spherical particles rich in silica (glass) and alumina, with pozzolanic properties. It complements portland cement upon hydration by reacting with free lime (calcium hydroxide) to form an additional durable binder, namely calcium silicate hydrate. The spherical particles also have a ‘ball-bearing’ effect, which allows concrete to be produced using less water.
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R-E-D Fly Ash is subject to processing/ quality control to regulate its fineness (particle size and distribution, shape and glass content) and unburnt carbon (loss-on-ignition), thus giving quality-assured material which is consistent, predictable, and suitable for varied applications.
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R-E-D Fly Ash is mainly used as a partial replacement of cement in concrete and has unique properties that benefit both fresh and hardened concrete. Its key advantages include reduced heat of hydration, improved workability, enhanced durability, and longer setting time. It can be effectively used where aggregates have poor grading and shape, resulting in bleeding and segregation. It is also suited for mass concrete applications, and in hot and aggressive environments where early-age thermal cracking and durability are major concerns.
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General replacement of cement with R-E-D Fly Ash in concrete can be 15-35% by weight for normal structures. However, for special structures such as dams, the replacement levels can increase up to 70%. The service life of structures using R-E-D Fly Ash is enhanced by more than 100% on account of the superior durability of concrete. Fly Ash use in concrete qualifies for credit under the U.S. Green Building Council's popular LEED® rating system for sustainable construction.
Applications of R-E-D Fly Ash
Applications of R-E-D Fly Ash encompass structural and ready mix concrete, cement, plastering and brick mortar, pre-cast and pre-stressed concrete, pumped concrete, bricks and blocks. R-E-D Fly Ash can either be pre-blended with the cement or sold separately for subsequent blending at the concrete batching plant. It is recommended that the volume of water may be reduced by 2.5% and quantity of sand may be reduced by 0.5% for every 10% of R-E-D Fly Ash used instead of cement in concrete. Apart from the use of R-E-D Fly Ash in blended cements or as a direct addition in concrete manufacture, R-E-D Fly Ash may also be used as a raw material ingredient in clinker production where the silica and alumina contents are of particular interest. Non cementitious uses for R-E-D Fly Ash are wide-ranging and include use in roads, asphalt, soil and waste stabilization, lightweight aggregates, etc. It can also be used to replace the filler ingredient of asphalt mix, which is usually 7-10%, leading to reduction in bitumen consumption by 10-15% resulting in a superior asphalt mix and cost-savings.
Fly Ash & Sustainability
R-E-D Fly ash is a byproduct of coal production, our fly ash is sourced in a way that helps mitigate pollutants from old coal mines that have seeped into local water sources causing pollution and impurities. We don’t consider our fly ash a byproduct of “clean coal” production but rather a mitigative recycled material that otherwise would have been landfilled or wasted creating a less sustainable environment.
In both functionality and application sustainability, R-E-D Industrial Products Fly Ash provides exceptional value. Here's how our Fly Ash product line makes a difference in longevity and viability. See the information below to see how Fly Ash can provide confidence that you are making the sustainable choice for your next project.
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Applicability for Sustainability:
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Cold weather resistant
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High strength gain depending on use
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Reduction of heat hydration
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Lower water to cement ratio when compared to non-fly ash mixes
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Reduces CO2 emissions
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Low embodied energy
Implementations:
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Fly Ash resistance to cold weather allows for concrete to be highly resistant to cracking, bleeding, and permeability
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In projects being implemented in cold weather areas fly ash reduces the amount of energy required for concrete curing
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Advantage of reducing the amount of hydration needed promoting water source sustainability
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Reduction of the amount of cement needed in a mixture reduces heat treatment and as a result, cuts back on CO2 emissions
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Lower embodied energy which is the measure of how much energy is consumed in producing and shipping a material
Why:
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Promotes lower life cycle costs
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Reduction of raw materials needed for projects
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Promotes water source sustainability
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Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
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An ethically sourced material that can boost your green initiatives
Sustainability Fact: According to the National Transportation Research Non-Profit group that 28 percent of the nation's major roadways interstates, freeways, and major arterial roadways in urban areas are in "poor" condition. This means they have so many major ruts, cracks, and potholes that they can't simply be resurfaced they need to be completely rebuilt [1].
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Sustainability Fact: Using 1,000 pounds of fly ash will save enough energy to power the average American home for 12 days and save enough landfill space for the solid waste generated by an average American for over 200 days [1].