Grant: Engage Grants Program

Stantec has attempted to develop some high performance lightweight concrete mixtures, suitable for cold regions, in order to provide their customers with durable lightweight concrete solutions for potential applications in offshore structures. However, despite the company's trials in optimizing different lightweight mixtures, there are still unanswered questions regarding the durability of lightweight concrete, especially after exposure to freezing and thawing cycles with de-icing salts. The main objective of this project is to develop some lightweight mixtures containing Stalite aggregate with optimized strength and durability. The project particularly focuses on the durability of the developed mixtures in term of resistance to freezing and thawing with de-icing salts. These mixtures will be designed using different binder contents, different percentages of lightweight Stalite aggregate, and different supplementary cementing materials. The test program will include the evaluation of fresh properties, mechanical properties (compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths), and freezing and thawing resistance in the presence of de-icing salts. The results of this project will lead to enhance the knowledge and expertise of the Stantec's R&D team, especially in lightweight concrete technology. In addition, this collaboration will result in a potential growth in the company in terms of additional projects and expansion of their business, thereby benefiting the Canadian economy.