Center for By-Products Utilization Performance Testing of Controlled Low Strength Materials and Concrete Using High-Carbon Fly Ash

This project consisted of performance testing and evaluation of concrete and Controlled LowStrength Materials (CLSM) containing high-carbon fly ash. One of the aims of this project was to determine the feasibility of incorporating carbon fibers into CLSM and concrete mixtures to lower electrical resistance of these two construction materials. This is continuing work performed by the UWM Center for By-Products Utilization for two similar types of construction materials in 2000. The intended use of these construction materials are in electrical grounding, or similar, applications. When electrical resistance of the materials is lowered, they will reduce the required length, or entirely replace, the grounding electrodes currently in use for protection of electrical equipment from lightning strikes. Two different types of materials were tested, CLSM and concrete. Three different mixtures were specified by We Energies for testing of electrical properties. These mixtures consisted of: CLSM containing high-carbon fly ash, cement, and water CLSM containing high-carbon fly ash, cement, water, and carbon fibers; and High-volume fly ash concrete with conductive carbon fibers added.