Grant: Alliance Grants
Université d'Ottawa
$25,000.00
Recycled low-carbon concrete structures: At-scale seismic performance and hybrid simulations
EF 2024-25
Résumé
Concrete production imposes a significant environmental impact due to its high embodied energy and consumption of raw materials. To reduce this burden, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) can be obtained from construction and demolition (C&D) waste or returned unused concrete. C&D waste constitutes a major portion of all generated solid waste, and traditional disposal in landfills is currently forbidden in several countries; hence, the use of RCA in concrete promotes a circular economy and extends the value chain for aging infrastructure. Commonly, the implementation of RCA in concrete mixes has been through partial direct replacement of natural aggregates, which has resulted in inferior fresh and hardened properties compared to traditional mixes. To overcome these challenges, the Equivalent Mortar Volume (EMV) method was proposed, in which the concrete mix proportions are adjusted to account for the presence of the residual mortar that is attached to the RCA after crushing. When the residual mortar of RCA is considered in the mix proportioning process using the EMV method, the amount of new cement used is significantly reduced resulting in up to 30-40% less carbon emissions. Our research has demonstrated that recycled low-carbon concrete (RLCC) mix designs can be achieved with comparable mechanical properties as conventional concrete mixtures. Nevertheless, the structural performance of large-scale reinforced RLCC members under seismic loading conditions has not been adequately studied. The objective of this international research partnership is to conduct hybrid simulations and testing of large-scale columns and beam-column connections made with RLCC to increase confidence in the use of eco-friendly concrete materials in areas of high seismicity. Through this research, new knowledge will be generated on the fundamental behaviour of RLCC for structural applications, particularly under seismic loading, through first-of-its-kind large-scale experimental test data of RLCC columns tested under hybrid earthquake simulations.
Programme
Alliance Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
597272-2024
Name nom
Noël, Martin MB
Department département
Civil Engineering
Organization id
28
Institution établissement
Université d'Ottawa
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2024
Award amount
25000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
601
Area of application group en
Construction, urban and rural planning
Area of application group fr
Construction, urbanisme et aménagement rural
Area of application en
Structural engineering
Area of application fr
Génie des charpentes
Research subject code
1001
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Construction engineering and management
Research subject fr
Génie et gestion du bâtiment
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Recycled low-carbon concrete structures: At-scale seismic performance and hybrid simulations
Keywords
circular economy; concrete; construction; equivalent mortar volume; hybrid simulation; low carbon; recycled aggregates; reinforced concrete; seismic; structures
Application summary
Concrete production imposes a significant environmental impact due to its high embodied energy and consumption of raw materials. To reduce this burden, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) can be obtained from construction and demolition (C&D) waste or returned unused concrete. C&D waste constitutes a major portion of all generated solid waste, and traditional disposal in landfills is currently forbidden in several countries; hence, the use of RCA in concrete promotes a circular economy and extends the value chain for aging infrastructure. Commonly, the implementation of RCA in concrete mixes has been through partial direct replacement of natural aggregates, which has resulted in inferior fresh and hardened properties compared to traditional mixes. To overcome these challenges, the Equivalent Mortar Volume (EMV) method was proposed, in which the concrete mix proportions are adjusted to account for the presence of the residual mortar that is attached to the RCA after crushing. When the residual mortar of RCA is considered in the mix proportioning process using the EMV method, the amount of new cement used is significantly reduced resulting in up to 30-40% less carbon emissions. Our research has demonstrated that recycled low-carbon concrete (RLCC) mix designs can be achieved with comparable mechanical properties as conventional concrete mixtures. Nevertheless, the structural performance of large-scale reinforced RLCC members under seismic loading conditions has not been adequately studied. The objective of this international research partnership is to conduct hybrid simulations and testing of large-scale columns and beam-column connections made with RLCC to increase confidence in the use of eco-friendly concrete materials in areas of high seismicity. Through this research, new knowledge will be generated on the fundamental behaviour of RLCC for structural applications, particularly under seismic loading, through first-of-its-kind large-scale experimental test data of RLCC columns tested under hybrid earthquake simulations.
