Evaluation of the cementing efficiency factor of low-calcium fly ash for the chloride-penetration resistance of concretes: A simple approach

Abstract This paper aims at simply evaluating the cementing efficiency factor (k-value) of low-calcium fly ash (FA) for the chloride-penetration resistance of concretes using the chloride-penetration depth (xd). Results indicate that xd could be used as a concrete-durability property to obtain the k-value of FA in a simple approach compared to the chloride-diffusion coefficient. The k-value of the FA based on the xd was approximately higher than 2, and it increased linearly with the increment in the FA reaction degree subsequent to the start of immersion. In addition, the correlation between the k-value for the chloride-penetration resistance and that for the strength development of the concrete was obtained.