# Study on Mechanical Strength and Resistance to Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Chloride Ions of Fly Ash Mortar Mixed with Limestone Powder Cured Under Low Temperature

## TL;DR

This study examines how adding limestone powder affects the strength and durability of fly ash mortar cured at low temperatures.

## Contribution

The study reveals the optimal limestone powder addition for enhancing mechanical and durability properties of fly ash mortar under low-temperature curing.

## Key findings

- Adding 5% limestone powder increases compressive strength of 30% fly ash mortar by 14.31% at 3 days.
- Limestone powder reduces chloride diffusion and improves freeze–thaw resistance in 30% fly ash mortar.
- 10% limestone powder minimizes CO2 emissions in 30% fly ash mortar, while 5% does so in 60% fly ash mortar.

## Abstract

Fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LS) are both environmentally friendly substitutes for cement. The mechanical strength and durability of hydraulic concrete with FA and LS cured under low temperature deserve attention. In this study, the mechanical strength and durability properties of cement mortar based on FA and LS cured under a low temperature of 5 °C were investigated. The compressive strength and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and chloride ions of mortar with FA and LS were evaluated. The results reveal that adding 5% LS can increase the compressive strength of mortar containing 30% FA by 14.31% at 3 d and 1.63% at 180 d. The addition of 5% LS can result in a 0.58% reduction in the mass loss rate and an increase of 2.98% in RDM compared to the mortar with 30% FA after 100 freeze–thaw cycles. Meanwhile, the addition of 5% LS results in a 5.68% reduction in the chloride diffusion coefficient compared to the mortar with 30% FA. However, for the mortar containing 60% FA, any proportion of LS cannot increase the compressive strength of FA mortar from 3 d to 180 d and will decrease the resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and chloride ions. For the mortar containing 30% FA, the addition of 5% LS can promote the hydration product of C-S-H and obtain the minimum total amount of large capillary pores and air pores. Adding 10% LS can result in the mortar with 30% FA obtaining the lowest unit CO2 emission, and adding 5% LS can result in the mortar with 60% FA obtaining the lowest unit CO2 emission.