What must be done to the dosages of air entrainment when fly ash is included in concrete mixtures?

When fly ash is included in concrete mixtures, the dosages of air entrainment should be reduced. This is primarily due to the fact that fly ash can inherently produce additional air bubbles in the concrete matrix, which can lead to an unexpected increase in air content. As a result, the presence of fly ash necessitates a lower dosage of air-entraining agents to achieve the desired level of air voids in the concrete.

Achieving the proper balance is essential; too much air can weaken the concrete. Therefore, it is critical to adjust the dosage of air-entraining admixtures when incorporating fly ash, ensuring that the concrete maintains its strength and durability characteristics without exceeding the air content limits that could adversely affect the performance of the concrete.