Modification of a cement matrix using additives and admixtures has been a common practice for many years. The use of some mineral additives as substitutes for the cement, e.g., the siliceous fly ashes (FAs), has a positive effect on reducing the energy used in cement production. On the other hand, such activities may have negative effects due to the lowering of strength parameters of composites in early stages of curing. In order to solve this problem, over the last few years, thanks to the patented "seedings" technology, a branch of industry connected with the production of admixtures that accelerate the binding process has developed significantly. Therefore, the paper presents the results of research aimed at analyzing the parameters of FA cement matrix with the nanoadmixture containing the nanometric C-S-H seeds (nanoadmixture (NA)). By using the modern NA, an attempt was made to neutralize the negative influence of the used industrial waste on the structure of the cement matrix in the early stages of its curing. The paper presents the results of strength tests for the FA cement pastes modified by NA in seven test periods, i.e., after 8, 12, 24 and 72 h, and 7, 14 and 28 days. Additionally, hydration heat tests were carried out on the analyzed material in the first 24 hours of curing.

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Siliceous fly ash (FA) is the main additive to currently produced concretes. The utilization of this industrial waste carries an evident pro-ecological factor. In addition, such actions have a positive effect on the structure and mechanical parameters of mature concrete. Unfortunately, the problem of using FA as a Portland cement replacement is that it significantly reduces the performance of concretes in the early stages of their curing. This limits the possibility of using this type of concrete, e.g., in prefabrication, where it is required to obtain high-strength composites after short periods of curing. In order to minimize these negative effects, this research was undertaken to increase the early strength of concretes with FA through the application of a specifically formulated chemical nano-admixture (NA) in the form of seeds of the C-S-H phase. The NA was used to accelerate the strength growth in concretes. Therefore, this paper presents results of tests of modified concretes both with the addition of FA and with innovative NA. The analyses were carried out based on the results of the macroscopic and microstructural tests in five time periods, i.e., after 4, 8, 12, 24 and 72 h. The results of tests carried out with the use of NA clearly indicate the possibility of using FA in a wide range of management areas in sustainable concrete prefabrication.

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The use of fly ash in cement composites adversely affects its mechanical properties during the first days of mixture curing. Modern technology, in the form of an admixture containing the hydrated calcium silicates, allows to accelerate the hardening and binding process of concrete. In this paper, studies on the influence of the admixture on properties of concretes with the ordinary Portland cements (OPC) containing the addition of siliceous fly ash (FA) have been carried out. As part of the experimental research, the authors conducted a series of studies for cement pastes modified with the addition of FA and the CSH nano-admixture (NA). In order to compare the mixtures, the following tests of cement pastes were carried out: the compressive and flexural strength, heat of hydration, SEM and rheological shrinkage. The mechanical parameters were tested after 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The hydration heat test and microstructure analysis were carried out during the first 24 h of the concrete curing. All tests were carried out on the standard samples. On the basis of the heat of hydration test, much higher hydration heat was found in mixtures modified with the NA. During the shrinkage test, a positive effect of the NA was observed—the shrinkage during the first 28 days of mixture curing was lower than in the reference samples. The application of the CSH nano-admixture to cement pastes with the addition of FA has brought positive effects. Apart from a significant increase in strength in the first 24 h of mixture curing, a reduction in the rheological shrinkage was observed. The admixture can be successfully used in the ash concretes, in which a higher early strength is required.