Durability of low-clinker concrete

我研究的主要目标是通过研究和开发减少混凝土中波特兰水泥熟料含量的新技术来提高混凝土施工的可持续性。波特兰水泥熟料在窑中生产，由烧结材料的固体结核组成。冷却后，与硫酸钙一起研磨，制成成品水泥。在北美，波特兰水泥通常含有约92%的熟料。波特兰水泥熟料的生产是一个主要的温室气体排放源，减少混凝土中熟料的含量可提高其作为建筑材料的可持续性。研究范围包括：（i）使用辅助胶凝物料，以取代混凝土中高比例的波特兰水泥（即比传统使用的替代水平更高）;（二）使用更广泛的回收材料和工业副产品作为混凝土的成分;（三）使用低熟料（低二氧化碳）水泥，如波特兰石灰石水泥和/或混合水泥;（iv）发展数学模型，以预测混凝土的老化情况，并协助选择混凝土材料和设计混凝土结构，以尽量延长使用寿命。所采用的方法将包括从微观结构水平上研究材料到现场试验中的使用。

The principal objective of my research is to increase the sustainability of concrete construction by conducting research and developing new technologies for reducing the portland cement clinker content of concrete. Portland cement clinker is produced in a kiln and consists of solid nodules of sintered material. When cooled it is interground with calcium sulfate to produce the finished cement. Typically in North America portland cement contains about 92% clinker. The production of portland cement clinker is a major greenhouse gas emitter and reducing the clinker content of concrete increases its sustainability as a construction material. Studies will be conducted in the following areas: (i) use of supplementary cementing materials to replace high proportions of Portland cement in concrete (i.e. larger replacement levels than those traditionally used); (ii) use of a wider range of recycled materials and industrial by-products as components of concrete; (iii) use of low-clinker (low-CO2) cements such as portland limestone cement and/or blended cement; (iv) development of mathematical models to predict concrete deterioration and aid in the selection of materials and design of concrete structures to maximize service life. The approach adopted will range from studying the materials at the microstructural level through to their use in field trials.