Thread: Checking PFA prior to the determination of cement content of concrete

Hi all,

Since there is no reliable method at present available to determine the cement content of hardened concrete containing PFA (pulverized fuel ash), it is necessary to establish whether or not PFA is present in the concrete prior to the analysis for cement content (checking under microscope).
If PFA is found to be present, the determination of cement content is not possible and the further preparation of the sample need not be carried out unless it is required in other tests such as the determination of chloride content.

==>> Why it's not possible to determine the cement content if PFA is present, is it due to any chemical and/or physical reactions?

Thanks.