Sustainable Concrete Using Native Materials from the Navajo Nation

Using Navajo Nation volcanic rocks and sands in concrete promotes sustainability and preserves natural resources in this culturally rich community. This study aims to use local volcanic materials from the El Malpais area for Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCP), reducing reliance on conventional aggregates and minimizing environmental impact. Therefore, the goal of this study is to reduce reliance on conventional aggregates, minimize environmental impact, and promote economic development within the Navajo Nation. Specifically, this research will evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete containing fine aggregates of various particle size distributions, available locally. The proposed study includes the following seven tasks. Task 1: A targeted literature review will be conducted focused on the geology of the region, El Malpais, for collecting materials for this study. In addition to reviewing any use of the local materials, their properties reported in the literature will be documented. Task 2: Local volcanic aggregates and available cement materials will be collected. Task 3: Collected aggregates will be tested for their suitability for incorporation in concrete, including sieve analysis, specific gravity, water absorption, and moisture. Task 4: The mix design protocols commonly used by the Navajo Nation for JPCP mixes will be followed and tailored to the project needs, including the development of mix designs and associated material property testing. Task 5: Laboratory testing of properties required for JPCP will be conducted. Task 6: Life cycle cost analysis calculations will be used to assess the economic and environmental benefits. Task 7: A comparison between environmental impacts of the proposed mixes and typical concrete mixes will be conducted.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.sptc.org/current-2022-funding-cycle-1

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $160068
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348306

  CY1-NTU-01

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

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

  Southern Plains Transportation Center

  University of Oklahoma
  202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
  Norman, OK  United States  73019
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Navajo Technical University

  Lowerpoint Rd State Hwy 371
  Crownpoint, NM  United States  87313
• Principal Investigators:

  Vellingiri, Anusuya

• Start Date: 20231001
• Expected Completion Date: 20250115
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Environmental impacts; Local materials; Mechanical properties; Mix design; Volcanic rock
• Identifier Terms: Navajo Nation
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01899356
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348306, CY1-NTU-01
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 15 2023 9:36PM