Freeze-thaw durability and multi-scale characterization of biochar concrete

Biochar has recently been identified as a promising supplementary cementitious material (SCM) for achieving carbon neutrality in concrete construction. Biochar is produced by subjecting biomasses to thermomechanical conversion. By incorporating biochar into concrete, agricultural and forestry wastes are used to sequester carbon instead of being disposed of, which reduces the amount of CO₂ and methane released into the atmosphere. Concrete incorporating biochar as SCM in small proportions (<5%) has shown comparable or greater flexural strengths, mode-I fracture resistance, and compressive strengths. The mechanical characteristics of biochar concrete have been evaluated extensively. However, there is a lack of understanding and investigations on the freeze-thaw (F/T) durability of biochar concrete. This aspect is critical because biochar is a highly porous material that may either make the concrete vulnerable to freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles or benefit the F/T durability of the concrete. In this context, this project aims to understand the F/T behavior of different types of biochar concrete and identify potential methods to improve their F/T resistance. To achieve this goal, the study aims to: (1) Evaluate the long-term freeze-thaw durability of various biochar or air-entrained biochar concrete; (2) Model and analyze the influence of absorption on the F/T behavior of biochar concrete; (3) Predict the service life of biochar concrete; (4) Identify micro- or meso-scale characteristics influencing the macroscopic behavior of the biochar concrete.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $180856
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551947137

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability & Life Extension

  Washington State University
  Civil & Environmental Engineering
  Pullman, Washington  United States  99164

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability & Life Extension

  Washington State University
  Civil & Environmental Engineering
  Pullman, Washington  United States  99164
• Project Managers:

  Kline, Robin

• Performing Organizations:

  Washington State University, Pullman

  Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
  PO Box 642910
  Pullman, WA  United States  99164-2910
• Principal Investigators:

  Shi, Xianming

• Start Date: 20230401
• Expected Completion Date: 20240531
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
• Subprogram: Transportation Infrastructure Durability and Life Extension

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biomass; Cement; Environmental impacts; Freeze thaw durability; Nanotechnology; Service life
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01890404
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Transportation Infrastructure Durability and Life-Extension
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551947137
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 23 2023 9:47AM