Evaluating and Implementing CC⋅I⋅L Cement for the Next Generation of Concrete Bridge Construction

Project Details
STATUS

In-Progress

START DATE

09/27/23

END DATE

09/26/25

FOCUS AREAS

Infrastructure

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, BEC, CP Tech Center
SPONSORS

FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program

PARTNERS

University of Florida, University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Kejin Wang

PCC Engineer, CP Tech Center

Co-Principal Investigator
Peter Taylor

Director, CP Tech Center

Co-Principal Investigator
Leif Wathne

Associate Director, CP Tech Center

Co-Principal Investigator
David Sanders

Professor, Iowa State University

Co-Principal Investigator
Kyle Riding

Professor, University of Florida

Co-Principal Investigator
Maria Juenger

Professor, University of Texas at Austin

Co-Principal Investigator
Kimberly Kurtis

Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology

Co-Principal Investigator
Newell Washburn

Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University

Co-Principal Investigator
Christopher Ferraro

Assistant Professor, University of Florida

About the research

The United States has approximately 600,000 bridges and 47,000 miles of interstate highways. More than 75% of bridges and 60% of highways are made of concrete. Concrete production consumes massive amounts of raw materials and energy, and US cement production emits about 67 million tons of carbon dioxide. A key to concrete decarbonization is using low-carbon cement. We propose to formulate, characterize, optimize, evaluate, and implement a new generation, low-carbon, energy-saving, and cost-effective cement made with calcined clay (CC)/natural pozzolan, Type I portland cement (I), and limestone powder (L), called CC·I·L cement. Implementation challenges will be addressed by (1) streamlining the testing process for characterizing raw materials and their blends, (2) using machine-learning techniques to optimize cement composition and predict performance, (3) developing prediction models for hydration and adiabatic temperature rise via software modification, and (4) conducting both laboratory and field investigations to comprehend performance. A roadmap will be developed defining goals, outcomes, and milestones for implementing CC·I·L in future transportation infrastructure.

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