Videos, Webinars & More

Finding a sustainable alternative to cement is crucial to mitigate climate change. This presentation introduces an innovative approach to investigate alkali-activated binders and monitor kinetic reaction using Raman spectroscopy. The dissolution of precursors by alkalis was continuously monitored for 24 hours immediately after mixing, which was found to be especially helpful to optimize the appropriate mixing procedure. Coupled with a new method for predicting the final products of alkali-activated materials using comprehensive phase-analysis, the cost and performances could be better controlled and optimized. Field applications of optimized AAM mixes based on fly ash, slag, or red mud could achieve 1) cement free with more than 80% reduction in carbon footprint, 2) ~25% reduction in cost, 3) cured at ambient temperature with well controlled setting time, flowability and other fresh properties, 4) similar or even superior hardened properties and durability, and 5) mass production ready.

In most emerging economies of the World, such India, major construction is expected during this decade in both infrastructure and housing sectors. This presents a great opportunity for more efficient, responsible, and sustainable technologies to be implemented. This would require the consolidation and research, if needed, in the areas of waste processing, lean technologies, scaling-up and policy changes for large-scale adoption. Waste processing would go beyond fly ash, waste clay and slag, to consider construction and demolition waste, and non-recyclable plastics. Analytical tools, life estimation and demonstration of techniques such as 3D-printing need to be applied for lean philosophies to be applied at the site. Scaling-up would require test beds, simulation, visualization, and adoption management. Policy notes, road maps and influencing stakeholders will be needed for large-scale changes. Though the challenges may appear daunting, international collaboration and strengthening of local centres of excellence could provide the relevant solutions. IIT Madras has initiated a project along these lines with the participation of about 20 of its faculty members, 30 research scholars, and several collaborators from around the globe (https://civil.iitm.ac.in/pcoe/tlc/). The talk would present recent results, goals, and the potential collaboration with entities such as ACI and RILEM in this initiative.

This presentation will be from the concrete contractor's perspective on lower carbon concrete and constructability, a discussion of what has worked on projects and what challenges have been encountered.

This webinar will discuss laboratory testing of portland limestone cement (PLC) based on internal research and projects being conducted by WJE. A brief introduction will be provided on PLC. Microscopic techniques and chemical analysis performed in an attempt to identify, classify, and quantify PLC will be discussed. This talk is intended to provide an industry update on current work-in-progress laboratory research.

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Concrete plays a vital part in construction industry. However, the production of concrete, notably cement, pose sustainability issues that need to be managed. To improve the sustainability of concrete, innovative admixtures, which contain Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) nanoparticles, were developed at Master Builders Solutions. The patented admixtures can significantly enhance concrete strength at early and late ages. The use of this concrete admixtures enhances a reduction of considerable amounts of cementitious materials, typically in range from 50 lb/yd3 (30 kg/m3) to 100 lb/yd3 (60 kg/m3) to achieve similar strengths of those control concrete mixtures without the admixtures. In other hand, these innovative admixtures also enable a higher replacement of portland cement with supplementary materials such as fly ash, slag cement and milled limestone, reduction of heat-curing and/or curing time. The information presented will show how the use of the nanoparticle-based admixtures can provide options to modify, improve properties, increase the speeds of concrete curing and construction process, and reduce CO2-footprint of the concrete mixtures.