National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

Oklahoma has started to implement "optimized graded concrete." These concrete mixtures are designed to use less cement, and proportionately more aggregate with a more optimized and continuous distribution of aggregate sizes. This allows a concrete mixture to achieve increased workability and strength through using less mortar (sand, cement and water). Cement is the most expensive ingredient in concrete, the largest contributor to the carbon footprint, and can also lead to increased cracking through shrinkage. Both the initial cost and long term performance of concrete would benefit from the reduction of cement content in concrete mixtures. The primary focus of this research will be to investigate the interplay between gradation and mortar content in a concrete mixture and how that impacts the necessary performance requirements for structural concrete: workability, strength, and durability. In addition the research team will also be available to work with any contractors that are implementing optimized graded concrete in the field. This is an important step in the validation of the research completed in the laboratory and is essential to the implementation of this new approach. Finally, the team will work with ODOT to create a new specification that will help implement optimized graded concrete for structural concrete in the state of Oklahoma.