Convention Highlights

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Decoupling of Concrete Production from Embodied Carbon Emissions through Nanotechnology, Part 1 of 2

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Moderators: Dr Maria S Konsta, Dr Konstantin Sobolev

Nanotechnology has the potential to enable efficient decarbonization pathways in nullifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in concrete industry. This session provides a unique opportunity for engineers, scientists, and industry leaders to learn and experience recent research advances on the design of carbon sequestration-efficient engineered concrete materials and technologies targeting zero or negative net CO2 emissions in civil infrastructure.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Discuss the importance of nanotechnology for the design of net zero concrete;
(2) Report the benefits of bio-based nanomaterials and waste materials/byproducts for the development of low embodied carbon concrete;
(3) Highlight the importance of controlling the CO2 diffusion process in engineered concrete using nanomaterials;
(4) Demonstrate carbon negative nanoengineered concrete materials and technologies.

Enhancing Construction Productivity Through Workability

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Moderators: Dr Nathan A. Tregger, KARTHIK PATTAJE

Concrete workability affects construction productivity. If the concrete does not have the appropriate workability for a given application, it can lead to delays in construction. This session will discuss the challenges in controlling workability and how it can be manipulated to help improve construction productivity. This session will include presentations from multiple perspectives: Specifier, Designer, Producer, Admixture manufacturer and Contractor. This session will be of interest to researchers, owners, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers.

Learning Objectives:
(1) How workability that is too high for an application can actually slow down placement;
(2) How improved workability through proper aggregate gradation increase placement;
(3) How on-board slump sensors and automated slump management can improve placement rates;
(4) How focusing on proper metrics during delivery of concrete can help focus support on the right challenges to improve placement rates.

Seismic Retrofitting of Reinforced Concrete Elements

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Moderators: Dr Shahria Alam, Dr AHM Muntasir Billah

As our infrastructure ages and deteriorates, the demand for repairing, strengthening, and rehabilitating existing structures continues to grow. This need is further amplified by our efforts to combat climate change, as extending the lifespan of our infrastructure is now more critical than ever. Demolishing and constructing new structures results in a significant amount of carbon emissions. Consequently, there is a growing focus on research and innovation in the field of repairing and strengthening infrastructure, particularly with the emergence of new environmentally friendly materials and technologies. This evolution in infrastructure management necessitates enhanced approaches for assessing the condition of deficient structures and the performance-based design of new structures, as well as the retrofitting of existing deficient structures. While substantial progress has been made in this domain, numerous challenges remain to be addressed. The primary objective of this special session is to showcase the outcomes of recent research studies encompassing experimental, numerical, and analytical investigations related to retrofitting and repairing structural elements.

Decoupling of Concrete Production from Embodied Carbon Emissions through Nanotechnology, Part 2 of 2

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Moderators: Dr Maria S Konsta, Dr Konstantin Sobolev

Nanotechnology has the potential to enable efficient decarbonization pathways in nullifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in concrete industry. This session provides a unique opportunity for engineers, scientists, and industry leaders to learn and experience recent research advances on the design of carbon sequestration-efficient engineered concrete materials and technologies targeting zero or negative net CO2 emissions in civil infrastructure.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Report recent progress about the use of nanomaterials in enabling enhanced CO2 capture and mineralization process in concrete;
(2) Summarize recent advances about the development of nanomaterial admixtures for reducing the carbon footprint of concrete manufacturing;
(3) Identify best practices for controlling the chemical interactions in nanoscale interfaces of engineered cementitious systems;
(4) Review recent challenges associated with the sustainability of carbonated nanomodified concrete.

Fatigue Performance of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC)

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Moderator: Mr Steve Schaef

Fiber reinforced concretes (FRC) proved to be a promising solution to address fatigue design in relevant fields of application including infrastructures such as bridges, pavements, infrastructures for energy harvesting which are often exposed to cyclic loading during their service life. The objective of this session is to share the advancements in FRC fatigue testing, characterization, and modeling, and report successful case studies implemented in the field.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Fatigue Behavior of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Pavements;
(2) Predictive models for fatigue life of Fiber Reinforced Concrete;
(3) Damage mechanisms in fiber-reinforced concrete subjected to flexural fatigue;
(4) The effect of high-cycle fatigue on a high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPFRC) with hybrid fiber reinforcement.

Sustainability of Recycled Aggregate Incorporation in Cementitious Composites

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Moderators: Dr Mirian Velay-Lizancos, Dr Xijun Shi

This session will include presentations on research investigating and evaluating the sustainability of recycled aggregate concrete from a holistic perspective. Work presented in this session addresses critical needs as the industry moves towards more sustainable concrete infrastructure through technologies such as carbon sequestration and use of tools such as EPDs and LCA.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Identify parameters that affect the actual sustainability of using Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) in cementitious composite production, and understand the different effects of RCA as a function of the target strength of the new composite;
(2) Understand the sustainability benefits and challenges of using Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) in cementitious composites, and expose the trends in concrete properties when recycled concrete aggregates are used based on statistical analysis of a large database;
(3) Evaluate the potential environmental benefits of non-traditional approaches (such as carbonating RCAs and or nanoparticle addition) to improve the performance of RCA usage in cementitious composites, and to reduce its associated carbon footprint;
(4) Identify challenges and research needs for preventing Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR) in concrete containing RCAs;
(5) Discuss pavement design considerations and conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to quantify the sustainability benefits of using RCA in concrete pavements.

President's Reception

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Doors open: 6:25 pm – 6:30 pm
Awards Presentation: 6:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Reception: 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm

ACI President Michael Paul invites all convention attendees to the President’s Reception, where you’ll have the opportunity to network with committee Chairs, chapter Presidents, and international attendees. An assortment of food and a hosted bar will be available.