This study aims to analyze the effect of using fly ash as a Portland cement additive or partial replacement in service conditions where carbonation acts as a degradation process. Fly ash was typified as anhydrous by XFR, XRD, modified Chapelle tests and laser granulometry. Five concretes were casted: one as reference (without additive), two with fly ash used as cement additive and two with fly ash used as a partial replacement of Portland cement. Replacement or additive levels were between 10 and 30% of cement mass. Those concretes were submitted to the compressive strength, accelerated carbonation and XRD tests using mortar extracted from the concrete in order to measure its alkaline supply. This researched allowed to conclude that alkaline reserve decreases and carbonation speed increases by adding or partially replacing the fly ash in the Portland cement. Besides, using fly ash reduces compressive strength at 28 days after wet cure. It is also important to highlight that there is an inverse correlation between alkaline reserve and carbonation speed in this case and, therefore, the remaining portlandite level is an important control factor in the carbonation process.