On-Going Projects

2nd-Cycle Projects (2024-grant)

• Constructability of Concrete Materials Infused With Silica-Rich Biochar For Bridge Applications [IBT-ABC-UTC-2024-C2-TAMU01]: The research on biochar-infused concrete in Cycle 1 supported the hypothesis that biochar can be used as a partial replacement of Portland cement to create a cementitious binder for concrete that has 25 % earlier setting times and 25 % higher compressive strength at 7 d than a binder comprising only Portland cement. The objective of this project is to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of biochar-infused concrete materials for implementation in bridge construction and repair. The approach to achieve that objective will be to determine the robustness of the material by investigating a wider range of w/c ratios, biochar dosages, and curing conditions for their effects on several important concrete properties, including the initial and final setting times, compressive strengths at 7 d, 28 d, and 90 d, and the secondary mineral formation extent at 7 d, 28 d, and 90 d.

• Development Of Ultra High Performance Concrete With Low-Density Flexible Fibers For Bridge Applications [IBT-ABC-UTC-2024-C2-TAMU05]: Innovative Bridge Technologies (IBT) include the development and use of novel materials that offer improved strength, higher mechanical performance, and, perhaps most importantly, superior durability and service life. Ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) has all these characteristics and has been identified for use in bridge deck overlays and for construction, repair and retrofit of bridge girders. More recently, as featured in an IBT/ABC UTC webinar, the first bridge with a 100 % UHPC superstructure was constructed in Michigan. Most UHPC contains steel fibers to improve shrinkage resistance and fracture toughness. Replacing the steel fibers with organic fibers can greatly improve the strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance of UHPC materials, making them even more attractive for bridge elements

1st-Cycle Projects (2024-grant) 

• Development of Concrete Materials Infused with Biochar for Bridge Applications [IBT-ABC-UTC-2024-C1-TAMU01]: The overarching research objective is to develop concrete materials infused with biochar that potentially can be implemented in bridge construction and repair. The primary knowledge gaps toward that end are the early-age structure-processing-property relationships. Quantifying these relationships will enable biochar-infused concrete to be used reliably and at higher volume fractions of replacement for portland cement. Within that objective, our specific goal in this project is to map the relationships among biochar dosage and properties to fresh flow properties and early-age mechanical properties and microstructure.