Nanotechnology-Based Improvements for Portland Cement Concrete

	NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED IMPROVEMENTS FOR PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE - PHASE 1
	Panneer Selvam, Ph.D., P.E. Department of Civil Engineering University of Arkansas 4190 Bell Engineering Center Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: (479)575-5356 Fax: (479)575-7168 rps@uark.edu Kevin D. Hall, Ph.D., P.E. Department of Civil Engineering University of Arkansas 4190 Bell Engineering Center Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: (479)575-8695 Fax: (479)575-7168 kdhall@uark.edu
	July 1, 2010 - August 24, 2011
	A fundamental understanding of the nano-structure of Portland cement concrete (PCC) is the key to realizing significant breakthroughs regarding high performance and sustainability. MBTC-sponsored research (MBTC 2095/3004) using molecular dynamics (MD) provided new understanding of CSH structure (the main component giving strength and durability to PCC); however, the study was limited, particularly regarding nano-level mechanical properties in the PCC, due to number of atoms that could be considered in the MD approach. The proposed effort will feature a discrete element method (DEM) for considering the CSH gel structure. Using this approach the CSH structure will be manipulated to better model high and low density CSH and provide new insight on the impact of the CSH structure on PCC mechanical properties.
	TRB Keywords: Nanoscience, Portland cement concrete, pavements, Discrete element method
	Product: In Progress (MBTC DOT - 3022)