Browse all of our durability related research briefs below, or explore by topic via the links in the right side bar (on desktop browsers) or at the bottom of this page (on mobile browsers).
Research Brief: Investigating the Mechanisms of ASR Using Atomistic Methods
July 1, 2020
The alkali-silica-reaction, a leading cause of deterioration in concrete, has been studied extensively—yet some of its mechanisms remain unclear....
Research Brief: Simulating the Formation of ASR Gels
April 24, 2019
Alkali-silica-reaction (ASR) is a significant cause of premature concrete deterioration. While it has recieved significant scholarly attention, questions still remain about how the ASR gel can...
Research Brief: Modeling the Freeze-Thaw Damage Mechanism in Cement
January 30, 2019
In this research brief we propose a new way to understand the cause of freeze-thaw damage in cement. While conventional thinking attributes the damage to pressure generated by expansion of water...
Research Brief: A Reaction-Diffusion Model for Mesoscale Patterns in Cement Paste
August 9, 2018
Strength and toughness, two important aspects of the durability of concrete structures, are dramatically influenced by the material's nanotexture. CSHub modeling efforts are beginning to answer...
Research Brief: Capillary Stress During Cement Drying Shrinkage
June 5, 2018
Cement paste is quite porous. When there are changes to outside relative humidity, due to rain or dry conditions, the pores inside cement can be filled with water or become empty, generating high...
Research Brief: Mechanical properties of Alkali Silica gels
August 17, 2017
Certain aggregates that are used to make concrete contain amorphous silica. This silica can react with alkalies in the cement paste pore solution and form a gel. This reaction is called alkali-...
Research Brief: Atomistic Modeling of ASR Gel
August 14, 2017
The Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) causes expansion and cracking in concrete which can result in structural problems in concrete infrastructure. ASR gel, formed from a chemical reaction between...
Research Brief: Minimizing Thermal Cracking in Concrete Pavements
November 30, 2016
Stresses resulting from thermal cycles within concrete pavements can cause expansion, contraction, bending, and flexing that can lead to fracture. This brief examines the risk of fracture of...
Research Summary: Lowering Vehicle Fuel Consumption and Emissions Through Better Pavement Design and Maintenance
October 27, 2016
Pavement-vehicle interaction (PVI) describes the interaction between a vehicle’s tires and the roadway surface it is driving on. Our team has developed models that quantify excess fuel consumption...
Research Brief: Examining Freeze-Thaw Damage at the Microscopic Scale
August 31, 2016
Freeze-thaw damage is a potentially serious deterioration process that occurs in concrete structures in cold climates. While it is known that using certain deicing salts can aggravate the damage,...