Effect of sodium hydroxide dosage on strength development in cement-fly ash mortars: Experimental and ANN-based prediction.

ABSTRACT: Fly ash, a by product from coal and biomass combustion in fossil-fuel power plants, is composed of fine particulate matter that can contribute to terrestrial and atmospheric pollution if not properly contained. In this study, we explored the use of an alkali activator in the production of fly ash-based concrete to contain fly ash particles. Fly ash was mixed with different concentrations of an alkaline activator (sodium hydroxide) for up to 28 days. We employed SEM images and laboratory tests supported by an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to determine the properties and strength of concrete. Our findings reveal that sodium hydroxide at 5 and 6% optimized the strength of colloidal sand mixture and the precursor of concrete at 3 and 28 days, respectively. Fly ash content of 10% optimized co

SUBMITTER: Xu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12822939 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature