Preface

Title: Preface
Author(s): O.M. Jensen, V. Mechtcherine, H.W. Reinhardt
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Conference on Use of Superabsorbent Polymers and Other New Additives in Concrete
Editor(s): O.M. Jensen, M.T. Hasholt and S. Laustsen
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-104-9
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-105-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2010
Pages: XIII - XIV
Total Pages: 1
Language: English

Abstract: The RILEM conference "Use of Superabsorbent Polymers and Other New Additives in Concrete" is scientifically sponsored by RILEM, hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Byg) and financially sponsored by the Knud Højgaard Foundation.

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 committee TC 225-SAP Application of superabsorbent polymers in concrete construction. This committee brings together from different countries around the world recognised researchers who are presently investigating the mechanisms of SAP action in concrete materials as well as the possibilities and limits of using SAP as a set of solutions to various problems encountered by practitioners in the field. The main objective of the committee is to coordinate research efforts and compile the results of studies with respect to the effects of SAP addition on the properties of concrete in its fresh and hardened states. A special focus on the positive actions of SAP with regard to mitigation of autogenous shrinkage, enhancement of frost resistance and steering of the rheological behaviour of cement-based materials is of particular interest. As a result of the committee’s work, a state-of-the-art-report is prepared and will be published shortly. Further activities of the RILEM TC 225-SAP include a series of round-robin tests and the development of practical recommendations for utilizing SAP in concrete construction.

DTU Byg has exceptional laboratory facilities for studying structures, materials and building components. It actively cooperates with foreign research institutions, attracting many visiting foreign researchers. DTU Byg employs 65 scientific staff members and 64 PhD students; it offers 80 courses and ~400 student projects are run each year.

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 ‘Durability of Concrete’, Lyngby, 8-13 August 2010. Several students from the course are also participating in the conference and presenting their scientific contributions.

The present RILEM conference broadly concerns all aspects of the use of new additives in concrete. A major part of the conference addresses themes with relation to the aforementioned RILEM technical committee 225-SAP. Other examples of new additives covered by the conference theme include surface active agents and mineral admixtures. The contributions to the conference deal with theory, modeling and results from experimental investigations, where such new additives are used in concrete. The conference is intended to bring together international experts dealing with this variety of topics. The event is attended by more than 40 persons from university, industry and practice representing 17 different countries. Hopefully, it will contribute to synthesis of research on new additives and promote knowledge transfer from academia to practice.

In addition to the above mentioned topics, two invited speakers contribute keynote talks at the conference on topics of general relevance for the audience. Hans-Henrik Bache, formerly Aalborg Portland Cement factory, makes a perspective on the ‘Development of ultra high strength concrete’. Christian Munch-Petersen, from EMCON A/S, shows the foot prints of ‘Concrete for modern, large bridges and tunnels’. The latter contribution is included in this volume. All contributions have been peer reviewed.

Online publication: 2010-10-04
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00