Concrete Innovation Lab

TTI’s Mukhopadhyay Develops Test Methods for Cracking-Resistant Concrete

November 5, 2021 by Kathrine Bradshaw

TTI’s Anol Mukhopadhyay Increases Awareness of Fly Ash Approach

October 25, 2021 by Kathrine Bradshaw

On Sept. 24, TTI Senior Research Scientist Anol Mukhopadhyay presented the session Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fly Ashes and Other Potential Alternatives to Mitigate Alkali–Silica Reaction (ASR) Using an Innovative Performance-based Approach. Anol was an invited speaker at the 2021 Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT) Conference Sept. 23–24.

SEAoT asked Anol to share the ASR tests and performance-based approach he and his TTI team developed using two test methods and pure solution estimation. Of particular interest was how Anol is using those tools to evaluate fly ash alternatives for mitigating ASR’s impact and addressing durability issues.

“Conventional fly ashes are gradually diminishing, and by 2030 the demand will be much higher than the supply,” says Anol. “Implementing this alternative method has great potential for addressing this critical industry issue. Further research is needed to apply the approach to other kinds of available alternatives and verify its effectiveness. I appreciated the opportunity to talk on this topic and increase awareness about the ASR phenomenon.”

SEAoT’s conference theme this year was “look to the future.” Attendees discussed emerging technologies and recent developments through training and networking in El Paso, Texas. | Learn More about the Conference

Mukhopadhyay Develops Test Methods for Cracking-Resistant Concrete Supporting Bridges

July 12, 2021 by Kathrine Bradshaw

Pravin Saraswatula received the American Coal Ash Association Educational Foundation (ACAAEF) scholarship.

September 17, 2020 by Kathrine Bradshaw

PhD student, Saraswatula, Pravin with Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s team in the Concrete Innovation Lab at the CIR, has received the American Coal Ash Association Educational Foundation (ACAAEF) scholarship. Pravin’s essay focused on linking pore solution chemistry of concrete with CCPs to ASR potential through machine learning as a performance-based approach. The scholarship award recipients were announced in a press release on July 6^th. ACAA will be recognizing the scholarship winners on their website and in their magazine, Ash at Work.

The ACAA Educational Foundation is a financially self-sustaining, not-for-profit organization which promotes the understanding of coal combustion products (CCP) management and utilization through communications and outreach initiatives that are aimed at government and industry decision makers and the public.

Pravin Saraswatula was also recently Runner Up in the PhD student category for the 2020 Keese Wootan Transportation Fellowship by Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). This fellowship was established to honor two long-time directors of the Institute, and recognizes and rewards TTI employees who are full-time or part-time graduate students at Texas A&M University.