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Replacement of cement with other powder materials having lower environmental impact is a viable strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of cement-based materials. Development of portland-limestone cement is a way to promote sustainability in the concrete industry. However, employing higher percentages of limestone can lead to lower strength and durability in the cement-based materials. This study, therefore, aims at investigating the effect of limestone particles coated with nano-SiO2 particles on the performance of cement paste in terms of cement hydration kinetics, pozzolanic reactivity, and compressive strength. The results showed that nano-SiO2 particles loaded on limestone can pro-mote cement hydration and improve bonding between cement hydration products and limestone particles leading to higher mechanical strength.

Artifical intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the concrete business. Join us as professionals from the domains of research, industry, and technology examine current uses of AI in practical technologies and offer their predictions for the future. The speakers will outline the innovative ways AI is optimizing concrete mix design, speeding manufacturing processes, enhancing structural performance, and enabling efficient concrete industry asset management. Participants will learn more about predictive modeling, structural health monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and integrating AI technologies into current processes. Participate in a panel discussion that is interactive so that you may ask questions, provide suggestions, and add to the conversation on the use of AI in practical applications. Consider possible future developments such as automated quality control, intelligent infrastructure, and data-driven design optimization.

In this study, the colloidal nanosilica (CNS) was used in the concrete and the carbonation degree was evaluated. It is hypothesized that the incorporation of the CNS can pre-vent the further carbonation of the hardened concrete sample as the pozzolanic reaction of the nanosilica can consume the calcium hydroxide (CH) and improve the durability of the material. A series of tests were designed and conducted. After the initial curing in the moisture room, a curing chamber with high carbon dioxide concentration was used to accelerate the carbonation process. The development of the compressive strength, carbonation degree, and permeability of the concrete sample was tested and monitored. The result of this study shows that the addition of the CNS can effectively prevent the later age carbonation, which could elongate the durability of the concrete structure. Moreover, due to the pozzolanic reaction and the nano-seeding effect of the CNS, high-er mechanical strength and denser cement matrix can be observed. The outcome of this study provides insight into the effectiveness of using CNS in concrete to enhance durability and achieve better strength performance.

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Modern concrete construction depends on the application of water reducers and superplasticizers. Without their use, many placements would not be possible, and a significantly greater environmental impact would be realized. Their development in the United States in the early 1930’s is an example of innovation, recognition of potential new applications, competition, and, ultimately, cooperation. In this presentation the author, undoubtedly the last person alive who both knew individuals involved in this early development and participated in later development himself, will review how this very important technology was birthed.

BCSA cement is a rapid setting, rapid hardening cement that has been used extensively in pavement repair applications. Concrete made with this cement has also been shown to have excellent structural performance in terms of flexural strength and shear strength. Due to its rapid strength development and low shrinkage, it makes an ideal structural repair material, especially for important infrastructure that cannot be taken out of service for long periods of time. This presentation will detail the mix design development of a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) repair mixture made with BCSA cement. The process of developing this mixture and the properties of the rapid setting SCC will be described. Special considerations required in proportioning SCC with BCSA cement will be explained. Since the desired application of the mixtures is structural repair, descriptions of structural tests of damaged members repaired with BCSA cement SCC will be described and some preliminary results will be shared.