Foreword

Title: Foreword
Author(s): Ole Mejlhede Jensen, Pietro Lura, Konstantin Kovler
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Conference on Volume Changes of Hardening Concrete: Testing and Mitigation
Editor(s): O. M. Jensen, P. Lura, K. Kovler
Print-ISBN: 2-35158-004-4
e-ISBN: 2351580052
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2006
Pages: IX - IX
Total Pages: 1
Language: English

Abstract: The RILEM conference “Volume Changes of Hardening Concrete: Testing and Mitigation” is hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (BYG•DTU). The event is scientifically sponsored by RILEM and financially sponsored by the Knud Højgaard Foundation.
BYG•DTU has exceptional laboratory facilities for studying structures, materials and building components. It actively cooperates with foreign research institutions, attracting many visiting foreign researchers. BYG•DTU employs 84 scientific staff members and 33 PhD students; it offers 80 courses and ~400 student projects are run each year.
RILEM is an international union of experts in construction materials, systems and structures with the aim to promote scientific cooperation. RILEM is scientific sponsor of the conference through the technical committees: TC 196-ICC Internal curing of concrete and TC 195-DTD Recommendation for test methods for autogenous deformation and thermal dilation of early age concrete.
The Knud Højgaard Foundation was established in 1944 by a donation from the founder of the Danish contractor MT Højgaard A/S. With the aim of promoting research and teaching in concrete technology, the Knud Højgaard Foundation has since 1999 financially sponsored a series of doctoral courses and conferences at DTU within “Advances in Cement Based Materials”. The present conference is preceded by the DTU-RILEM Doctoral Course ‘Concrete Curing: From the Research Lab to the Construction Site’, Lyngby, 13-19 August 2006. Numerous students from the course are also participating in the conference and presenting their scientific contributions.
The conference broadly concerns all aspects of volume changes of hardening concrete. In particular, it concerns themes with relation to the aforementioned RILEM technical committees, including autogenous shrinkage, which is a phenomenon ingrained in high-strength/high-performance concrete (HSC/HPC) of low water/binder ratio matrix. Autogenous shrinkage may be mitigated through water curing. However, conventional curing procedures of ponding in water are not sufficiently effective, because the penetration of water from the externally ponded surface is limited. In view of these limitations, different strategies have been developed in recent years, based on the use of internal reservoirs of water – so-called internal water curing.
At early ages another important volume change mechanism is thermal dilation. This is an additional driving force of cracking in hardening concrete structures. Thermal dilation is higher in HSC/HPC, because the hydration-generated temperature rise becomes higher due to a higher binder content. Reliable test methods are needed in order to develop useful material models and to establish a better fundamental understanding of the two main volume change mechanisms. This is the basis for further development of durable HSC/HPC.
The RILEM conference on Volume Changes of Hardening Concrete is intended to bring together international experts dealing with this variety of topics. Hopefully, it will contribute to synthesis of research on volume changes of hardening concrete and promote development of advanced testing and mitigation methods. The research cooperation in this field is expected to bring scientific and practical benefits for the society.
In addition to the above mentioned topics, three invited speakers contribute keynote talks at the conference on topics of general relevance for the audience. Erik Reitzel, from Erik Reitzel consulting engineers, leads the audience into the journey of ‘Concrete Structures through Time and Space’. Peter Ingwersen, from the Royal Danish Library School, shows the new frontiers of ‘Tracking Scientific Information’. Finally, Vagn Lundsgaard Hansen, from the Technical University of Denmark, illustrates what is meant with ‘Good Conduct in the Sciences’. The latter contribution is included in this volume – though we are absolutely certain that good scientific standards have been followed throughout these conference proceedings.

Online publication: 2006-07-30
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/2351580052.00a