Title : Cementitious composites for road infrastructure
Abstract:
A considerable portion of the global pavement infrastructure relies on asphalt as the primary construction material. However, projections indicate that asphalt reserves may only last for around 50 years. While Portland Cement Concrete has been considered as an alternative, it comes with its own set of limitations, including environmental emissions and suboptimal riding quality. Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) has emerged as a potential alternative pavement material, with sporadic studies suggesting its viability over the years. Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) indeed holds promise as a potential alternative pavement material. Its unique blend of ductility, durability, and strength makes it an intriguing option for addressing the limitations of both asphalt and Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). ECC's ability to flex and self-heal microcracks can significantly extend its service life, potentially reducing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance. As sustainability becomes an increasingly pressing concern in infrastructure development, exploring innovative materials like ECC could play a crucial role in creating more resilient and eco-friendly pavement networks for the future.
In contemporary pavement construction, cement-treated materials (CTMs) are commonly utilized as base or sub-base layers in semi-rigid pavements, prevalent in highways, high-traffic roads, and airports. These materials typically consist of aggregates, cement (typically up to 6%), and water. The inclusion of cement in the layer enhances its bearing capacity, thereby decreasing strain on the subgrade and tensile stress at the bottom of bituminous layers. However, in certain instances, the presence of cement can lead to excessive stiffness, brittleness, and the occurrence of cracking. To mitigate cracking, fibers can be added to impede crack propagation, and/or bituminous emulsion (BE) can be incorporated to impart viscoelastic properties to the cement-treated materials (CTMs). Also, in place of aggregates, the reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) material which is the recycling of waste generated from the demolition process can serve as a strategic approach for producing new pavement materials.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Offer practical examples and case studies that demonstrate real-world applications of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) and Cement Treated Bases (CTB) with fibers
- Provide clear guidelines or steps on how to incorporate ECC and fiber reinforced CTB into their projects
- Highlight the potential cost savings, durability improvements, and performance enhancements that come with using these materials
- Discuss how adopting these materials can lead to more efficient project delivery, improved project outcomes, and greater client satisfaction
- Illustrate how knowledge of ECC and fiber reinforced CTB can make professionals more competitive in the industry and open up new opportunities for them
- Highlight the innovative aspects of your research and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge in civil engineering and materials science
- Share insights into potential avenues for further research and exploration, such as optimizing material compositions, exploring new applications, or investigating long- term performance
- Discuss how these materials can streamline construction processes, reduce construction time, and lower lifecycle costs
- Provide examples of how incorporating ECC and fiber reinforced CTB into designs can lead to more efficient and sustainable infrastructure solutions
- Showcase how the unique properties of ECC and fiber reinforced CTB enable designers to achieve more accurate and reliable designs, particularly in challenging or dynamic environments
