High Performance Engineered Concrete Materials and Structural Systems for Innovative and Sustainable Construction

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The recent deteriorating condition of the infrastructure in Canada has motivated authorities and researchers to seek new concrete technology for enhancement of material properties. During the last decades, tremendous progress has been made on the high performance concrete (HPC) and the modern day concrete frontiers can be defined by “high strength and high tensile ductility” characteristics. One such emerging HPC technology involves the family of fibre reinforced engineered concrete (EC) and given the worldwide demand for infrastructure systems, the potential application of EC is enormous. With intrinsically tight crack width and high tensile ductility, EC (commonly known as engineered cementitious composite ‘ECC’) offers significant potential to resolve durability problems of RC structures and to be used either in new construction or as repair material. Despite progress in EC technology in recent years, there is an urgent need to conduct research on the material characterization and innovative practical structural applications. The proposed research is uniquely positioned to make ground breaking advances in the field of sustainable infrastructure through development of emerging EC technology. It will produce new breed of green cost-effective self-healing ECs using locally available materials for Canadian market and will also focus on the development of highly viable novel joint-free bridge deck and EC based structural elements/systems. The proposed research involves an integrated study consisting of experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations. The long-term objective is to develop smart EC materials to build robust structural systems particularly for bridge and building applications with enhanced strength, durability, serviceability and economy. The short-term objectives are to: (i) develop different classes of EC mixes using wastes and local aggregates through evaluation of fresh/mechanical/durability properties, microstructural characterizations and self-healing characteristics; (ii) conduct experimental and theoretical/numerical investigations on the structural performance of joint-free bridge deck with flexible EC link slab and EC building frames/shear wall system as well as corroded/non-corroded EC beams; (iii) carryout life cycle analysis of joint-free bridge deck with EC link slab to demonstrate viability/sustainability of such construction; (iv) develop performance specifications for the manufacture of EC mixes; and (v) develop design guidelines and performance based specifications for EC beams, joint-free bridge deck with EC link slab and EC building frames/shear wall systems. This research will allow researchers and engineers to perfect their knowledge of the EC materials/proposed structural systems and to fully evaluate the potential of the new technology. This project is very relevant to Canada, considering its ageing infrastructure, where emerging EC technology can play a vital role in the future construction and renovation. The proposed research is a viable initiative that can significantly contribute to the development and use of emerging EC materials to enhance durability and reduce costs of infrastructure maintenance in the short and long terms. There is no doubt that EC technology will lead to the construction of robust and sustainable high-performance structural systems (with enhanced strength, durability, service life and economy) for the 21st century. By supporting this research, Canada can play a significant role in the development and worldwide transfer of this novel technology.