Project Details
09/27/23
09/26/25
FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program
University of Florida, University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University
Researchers
Leif Wathne
lwathne@iastate.edu email >Associate Director, CP Tech Center
David Sanders
Professor, Iowa State University
Kyle Riding
Professor, University of Florida
Maria Juenger
Professor, University of Texas at Austin
Kimberly Kurtis
Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Newell Washburn
Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
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.