PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-13-0032
Project Name:	*Protocols for Evaluating the Properties and Performance of Alternative Cementitious Materials (ACMs) for Use in Highway Applications**
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Ardani First Name: Ahmad Telephone: 202-493-3422 E-mail: ahmad.ardani@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Pavement Materials Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	This research will be a collaborative effort between three laboratories of the Pavement Materials Team including Chemistry, Aggregate and Petrography, and Concrete laboratories. The tasks aim to develop a protocol for systematically and expeditiously evaluating mixtures containing ACMs (for example, CeraTech and Solidia Cement). The principal objectives are to evaluate their structural and durability performance and to identify properties and test methods that will assure their quality and performance for highway applications. To achieve the objective of this study, the research team envisions the following steps: Evaluation of rheology, setting, mechanical properties, volume change, transport properties and durability using traditional and new emerging test methodsChemical analysis of the mixtures, which entails x-ray florescence, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis.Petrographic analysis, which includes microscopic examination and analysis of the constituents of hardened cementitious materials. Alternative Cementitious Materials (ACMs*) are materials that have little or no portland cement.
Laboratories:	Concrete Laboratory Chemistry Laboratory Aggregate and Petrographic Laboratory
Start Date:	January 15, 2013
End Date:	December 30, 2018
Funding Amount:	$0.00
FHWA Program Name:	Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment
Goals:	The key project objectives are: Characterization of performance of concrete-making materials, which include analysis of mechanical, durability, chemical, and physical properties of concrete containing the constituents and their interactions. Analysis of the rheological and mechanical properties of fresh paste, mortar, and concrete, as required. Analysis of setting time, heat generation, and reaction mechanisms during hydration. Analysis of hardened concrete, mortar, and paste, including physically and chemically induced durability and strength issues. The main focus of the study is to implement the concept of sustainability by evaluating and documenting the performance of concrete-making materials that are environmentally friendly, economical, and are socially acceptable. The ultimate goal is to reduce the carbon dioxide footprint associated with the production of cement while maintaining or improving the performance of concrete in the highway infrastructure.
Project Type:	Onsite
Background Information:	Today’s transportation infrastructure, while providing for efficient, convenient, and safer movement of people and goods, is not as sustainable as it could be. There are adverse impacts on the environment through the production of the cement for use in infrastructure construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. Nearly one ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted into the atmosphere for every ton of cement produced. Globally, up to seven percent of the total CO2 produced is from the production of cement. As the concept of sustainability gains momentum, many transportation agencies, in an effort to reduce the CO2footprint and to reduce the need for raw materials, are willing to explore using more supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) and other emerging alternative cementitious materials (ACMs) with little or no cement. What lacks is a sound, practical protocol that can be used to characterize these different cementitious mixtures and their impact on the performance of rigid pavement.
Test Methodology:	Characterization of ACMs using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Isothermal Calorimeter, XRD, XRF, TGA, SEM and petrographic analysis.
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The expected benefit is the development of an environmentally friendly rigid pavement that is sustainable and cost effective.
Deliverables:	Name: Guidelines and Protocol. Product Type(s): Research report, Article, Promotional materials, Techbrief, Technical report Description: The deliverable is a protocol that can be used to properly characterize a variety of different cementitious materials and examine their suitability/application for use in rigid pavements. Audiences: Academics, Concrete industry, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Implementers, Researchers, Pavement engineers, Pavement designers Secondary Audiences: Concrete producers, Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) contractors
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Based on the limited data that have been acquired on the use of Solidia cement, it appears that its mechanical properties are equivalent or better than that of ordinary portland cement. Petrographic examination of the cores revealed that Solidia cement is primarily composed of glassy materials (perhaps slag) and crystalline materials (Wollastonite). X-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence examination of the constituents also confirmed presence of these materials.
FHWA Topics:	Research/Technologies--Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
TRT Terms:	Durability Infrastructure Cement Research Construction Rehabilitation Maintenance Pavements
FHWA Disciplines:	Pavement and Materials
Subject Areas:	Materials Pavements Research