Structural performance of reinforced concrete beams made of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete

Details

Over the past decades, a significant number of studies have been undertaken on the material development of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and the structural performance of UHPC members. Despite this, the extensive application of UHPC in the construction industry is yet to be achieved, one of the main obstacles for which is the high amount of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) used in the mixture design of UHPC which results in high shrinkage, heat of hydration, and cost of the material.

Recently, few studies have shown the feasibility of developing ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC), in which OPC was completely replaced by geopolymer. Geopolymer, also known as alkali-activated material (AAM), is a sustainable (low carbon) alternative to OPC. Despite the large volume of research activities in geopolymer, the research work related to structural engineering aspects of geopolymer concrete remains very low. No research has so far been undertaken on the structural performance of members made of UHPGC. This project will investigate the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams made of UHPGC.

The project start date is 02 January 2023.

The potential applicant should have a Masters degree or Bachelors with Honours degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, or closely related field with a strong demonstrated interest/experience in concrete technology and structural engineering.