This paper uses a new approach where fly ash is characterized on a particle-by-particle basis using automated scanning electron microscopy. The particle data is then analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA) to find interrelationships among the particle chemical composition for 20 different fly ashes. Consistent trends were observed in 20 fly ashes. These trends from PCA were verified by making comparisons of these trends for individual particles. One application is introduced using this particle data. Each particle is categorized into four broad groups with a limited chemical composition. These four groups were found in different proportions in the different fly ashes investigated. Compressive strength and surface electrical resistivity were measured from concrete mixtures made with these fly ashes and the four groups correlated with the performance in concrete. This finding is an important step to develop a more general classification of fly ash based on the individual particle make-up, which helps to optimize the mixture design and also benefits the sustainable concrete by increasing the effectiveness of industrial by-waste usage.

本文采用一种新方法，其中使用自动扫描电子显微镜逐个颗粒地对粉煤灰进行表征。然后使用主成分分析（PCA）分析粒子数据，以找到20种不同飞灰的粒子化​​学组成之间的相互关系。在20个粉煤灰中观察到一致的趋势。通过比较单个颗粒的趋势，验证了PCA的这些趋势。使用此粒子数据介绍了一个应用程序。每个颗粒分为化学成分有限的四大类。在所研究的不同粉煤灰中以不同比例发现了这四个组。从用这些粉煤灰制成的混凝土混合物中测量了抗压强度和表面电阻率，这四组与混凝土的性能相关。这一发现是重要的一步，它可以基于单个颗粒组成来开发更一般的粉煤灰分类，这有助于优化混合物设计，并通过提高工业废料的利用效率而使可持续发展的混凝土受益。