| The Basic Research program was
developed as the result of a strategic planning session with ACBM’s
industrial affiliates to identify key areas of concern to the industry.
The research is organized into five themes which focus on these key
areas. They are:
Theme I: Processing
Theme II: Interfaces
Theme III: Microstructural
Characterization
Theme IV: Transport
Phenomena
Theme V: Toughening
Mechanisms
The key issues being addressed in the ACBM’s
research activities consist of identifying the chemical and physical
phenomena that influence the development of the microstructure;
developing new techniques to characterize microstructure; defining
relationships between microstructure and bulk material properties;
and exploring methods to modify the matrix to yield tougher, more
durable cement-based materials. ACBM's objectives are not only to
improve the performance and predictability of high performance concrete
through the application of science and technology, but also to develop
novel cement-based materials with targeted properties.
The strength of ACBM lies in its team of researchers covering a
wide range of disciplines and specialties. This makes it possible
to develop a coordinated approach to understand the fundamental
science that underlies the critical issues of the field. A combination
of this basic knowledge with the empirical approach frequently employed
by the concrete industry should lead to a significant breakthrough
in the way we use cement-based materials.
Researchers from Northwestern University, the University of Illinois,
the University of Michigan, Purdue University, and the National
Institute of Standards and Technology are investigating properties
and processes of cements and will establish comprehensive principles
for designing cement-containing materials with improved properties.
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