Engineers at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. have developed slab-embedded sensors that can safely speed up a construction timeline by determining concrete strength directly onsite in real time. Their technology removes the need for extensive offsite testing by allowing contractors to verify concrete maturity onsite.
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Nanocrystals extracted from cellulose microfibrils—structures that give plants and trees strength and resilience—can increase concrete tensile strength up to 30 percent by creating tiny water inlets in a matrix and promoting more efficient cement hydration.
Addressing the American Concrete Institute Fall Convention in Washington, D.C., Purdue University engineers report that carbon dioxide-cured concrete performs comparably or better than traditional portland cement product for resistance to cold weather and exposure to extreme conditions.