Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world. Despite the many changes in the construction industry globally, concrete continues to be the benchmark material for long lasting, durable structures. As such concrete continues to be researched and developed.
 
While new materials show promise in the construction industry they are often made from natural resources that are simply not found in quantities abundant enough to compete with, or even replace, concrete. It is for this reason that advances in concrete, and the materials that are used in it, are always being further developed, along with enhancements to generate special properties, or to achieve superior characteristics that may provide long-term durability, sustainability, and performance.
 
However, it is vital that all stakeholders in the concrete industry have a basic understanding of the concepts involved to ensure that the performance of the material is not compromised. This applies to anyone in structural and civil design, project management, concrete construction, and concrete technology.
 
This event is Part 1 of a series on the Performance of Concrete. It will provide an update on the changes in Australia with respect to materials and conditions that impact the performance of concrete, and how these impact concrete specification, construction, and ultimately performance in this country.
 

This event will look at a wide range of concrete materials, updates in standards and use, and the impact that they have on the performance of concrete:
 
Materials: cement, aggregates, admixtures, fly ash, silica fume, slag, water, recycled materials, new materials.
 
Performance: testing, durability, strength, structural capacity, sustainability, ASR, acid sulphates, carbonation, chloride attack
 
Our presenters will include industry experts in materials and performance, as well as local specifiers with local knowledge in specification challenges.

Who should attend?

Content

 
Updates in the performance of concrete materials:
Presenter: Des Chalmers (90 minutes)
 
This session will include updates and detailed analysis at how traditional concrete materials (cement, aggregates etc), SCM’s (fly ash, slag), and new alternatives (i.e. geopolymers) affect the performance of concrete.
 
It will look at: 

• A back-to-basics look at each material, and what impacts they have on the way concrete performs.
• The role that alternative materials to Portland cement have and what can be expected.
• The availability of materials, and what impact this may have in the future.
• Comparison and contrast analysis of traditional materials and new materials, and their performance characteristics.

Physical and chemical performance of concrete:
Presenter: Vute Sirivivatnanon (60 minutes)
 
This session will analyse the way concrete can be expected to perform when subjected to typical physical and chemical exposure.
 
It will look at: 

• The impact material specification may have on how concrete performs when exposed to chlorides, acid sulphates, and carbonation.
• The impact alkali-silica-reaction can have on concrete performance and how to specify for it.
• How materials can have an impact on concrete specified in different weather and climate conditions.
• What can be expected by new materials with respect to chemical and physical exposure.

Updates in the performance testing of concrete:
Presenter: Vute Sirivivatnanon (30 minutes)
 
This session will include updates and analysis on traditional concrete testing requirements to ensure concrete performs to expectation.
 
It will look at: 

• A back-to-basics look at concrete testing requirements.
• An in-depth look at new testing requirements for alkali-silica-reaction.
• What tests should be specified to ensure appropriate performance of concrete.

Updates in admixtures and the performance of concrete
Presenter: Bruno D'Souza (45 minutes)
 
This session will include updates and analysis on concrete admixtures and how these can be used to ensure concrete performs to expectation.
 
It will look at:
 
A back-to-basics look at concrete admixtures.

• An in-depth look at new technology in the market.
• Specific examples of how admixtures can be specified.

Challenges in material specification for concrete performance (a consultant’s view) –
Presenter: Local consultant (45 minutes)
 
This session will take into consideration a local consultant’s point of view when it comes to the challenges in meeting concrete performance requirements through material specification..
 
It will look at: 

• What are the main challenges that consultants in Queensland have with concrete specifications.
• Local constraints to consider (i.e. supply, skills, particular chemical or physical exposures, etc) and how these are overcome.
• Case studies or examples. 

Challenges in material specification for concrete performance (an asset owners view) – Presenter: Local asset owner (45 minutes)
 
This session will take into consideration a local asset owner’s point of view when it comes to the challenges in meeting concrete performance requirements through material specification..
 
It will look at: 

• What are the main challenges that asset owner’s in Queensland have with concrete specifications.
• Local constraints to consider (i.e. supply, skills, particular chemical or physical exposures, etc) and how these are overcome.
• Case studies or examples.