UFTI Affiliate Conducts Study to Analyze, Validate and Optimize Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing

Cement and concrete (C/C) can behave differently if proportions, materials or processing steps are not correct, and this can lead to big changes in performance. Currently, empirical methods derived from equations and tables can predict the behavior of new cement mixes. However, the use of computational methods based on the property of materials from C/C is replacing the empirical method because it can more accurately predict how the mixture will behave. With this in mind, Dr. Chris Ferraro and his team of researchers at UF applied and tested the computational method to the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Lab (VCCTL) software, which considers chemical and thermal behaviors of C/C, thus providing better insights into the C/C and new mixes. Predicting the behavior of C/C could lead to new and more durable cement mixes and concrete structures.