Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This proposal requests funds for the purchase of a freeze-thaw testing machine that will allow the determination of the mechanical properties of various advanced construction materials used in civil/ mechanical/ materials engineering under freeze-thaw cyclic loading conditions. Utilization of these novel materials will substantially improve the service life of various structures under freeze-thaw cycles in saline environment and will have a profound impact on the sustainable solution to infrastructure longevity and its management. The specific engineering pursuits of interest to this research proposal relate to the following: 1) New generation green concrete and polymer concrete: Dr. Alam's research program focuses on the development of new generation green concrete made from construction and demolition waste and fiber reinforced polymer scrap, and polymer concrete made with water based polymer and recycled asphalt concrete as aggregate. 2)Composites for construction: Dr. Milani's research program deals with multi-scale testing and design optimization of advanced textile composite materials applied in concrete structures for instance, woven fabrics will be applied in bridge decks for retrofitting. 3) Degradation of granite under freeze-thaw cycles: Dr. Siddiqua's research program focuses on developing constitutive models for composite geomaterials and rocks under various environmental loadings. In all three cases, the freeze-thaw tester is essential to determine the long term durability of different materials used in construction industries. The use of the proposed equipment will substantially improve the ability of engineers to develop a sustainable Canadian infrastructure system through the use of innovative materials with better performance and long service life, which will be economically viable and environmentally sound.