Nikki Maria Shaji
PhD Student
Email: nikkimaria.shaji@tudublin.ie
Project Title: Determining the optimum cement replacement level of conditioned pulverised fly-ash to improve concrete durability.
Supervisor: Dr. Niall Holmes
This research will determine the suitability and optimum cement replacement level of conditioned (wet) Pulverised Fly-Ash (PFA) from Moneypoint power station for improved concrete durability performance. PFA is a commonly used supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to partially replace cement in concrete, improving workability, compressive strength and durability over time compared to plain Portland cements.
The investigation will characterise the PFA at Moneypoint and from eight replacement levels (0-35% in 5% steps), perform a comprehensive thermodynamic cement hydration study using state of the art models and experimental techniques, assess the improved durability performance in concretes containing PFA by undertaking a suite of non-destructive tests in three exposure environments and confirm the environmental benefits of it as a SCM. This project will use the expertise in cement hydration modelling by the supervisory team and further develop the TU Dublin thermodynamic hydration modelling platform (HYDCEM) to include PFA.
Results from the study will provide confidence for designers, specifiers, and the 200+ concrete producers in Ireland to use the PFA at Moneypoint thereby reducing the need for cement and driving down the CO2 levels released during its production while delivering an enhanced concrete product with improved durability performance.