Cement and Concrete: A Cement Hydration, B Concrete Durability

Scope of Course
The course brings you up-to-date on important areas of cement and concrete technology:
A - Cement Hydration
Knowledge of the cement hydration process is very important for the understanding of most concrete properties. Cement hydration has been intensively researched for a century, but due to its complexity many challenges still remain.
During the last years sophisticated methods for investigation have significantly expanded our knowledge. This enables us to control certain concrete properties.
B - Concrete Durability
Modern concrete technology has identified a number of damage mechanisms that can take place depending on concrete environment and concrete quality - damage mechanisms which every year necessitate massive investments in rehabilitation and repair. However, constantly ongoing research refines our theoretical knowledge about why deterioration takes place,
models for prediction of deterioration are improved, and new measures to prevent deterioration processes appear and extend the service life of concrete structures.

Course Contents and Schedule
The course consists of connected lectures, written exercises and hands-on laboratory exercises. Social activities during the course are planned to promote a stimulating study atmosphere.

The following subjects are covered in the course:
A - Cement Hydration (August 25-26)
- Cement manufacture
- Hydrate phases
- Microstructure development
- Hydration kinetics
- Analytical techniques and modeling

B - Concrete Durability (August 28 – Sept. 1)
- Chloride ingress
- Corrosion
- Frost attack
- Alkali-aggregate reactions
- Sulfate attack
- Standards and specifications

August 27 is a 'poster day'. Course participants are encouraged to present their own research topic during a poster presentation.

Work Load and Study Material
Including the period at SBT and preparatory work before the course the following work load is involved:
A - Cement Hydration: Approximately 27 hours of work corresponding to 1 ECTS.
B - Concrete Durability: Approximately 100 hours corresponding to 3.5 ECTS points.
Poster preparation and presentation: Approximately 40 hours corresponding to 1.5 ECTS points.

Notes will be provided before the course.

Certificates
Certificates will be issued based on active participation in one or more parts of the course.

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