EC310C-EC31CP Final Year Project Supervisors by Charalampos Alexakis

Sam Adu-Amankwah

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Performance of low carbon concrete
Concrete is the most used infrastructural material. Its production does not only consume natural resources (e.g. aggregates, cement, and water) but also generates more than 10% of man-made carbon dioxide, principally from clinker production. One approach to make concrete sustainable is to use supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) e.g. blast furnace slag, calcined clays and fly ash. This project will investigate fresh and hardened state properties of novel low carbon cementitious materials with individual and blends of SCMs.
Who is this for? Anyone with interest in civil engineering materials, knowledge of cement and concrete and keen to gain laboratory experience.

2. Circularity of infrastructural materials
Concrete is the most used infrastructural material. Its production does not only consume natural resources (e.g. aggregates, cement, and water) but also generates more than 10% of man-made carbon dioxide. However, concrete-based infrastructures are designed for defined service life. This presents opportunities to reclaim, repurpose and reuse structural elements e.g. columns, beams and slabs, at the end of the design life, thus offsetting the carbon footprint of construction projects. In this desk-based project, you will conduct systematic review of the published literature on deconstruction of rigid concrete-framed structures; establishing feasible reclamation and repurposing strategies and enablers for reuse.
Who is this for? This project will suit you if you are interested in civil engineering materials and you are a careful/critical reader and writer

3. Influence of early age weather patterns on performance of concrete
Concrete elements e.g. columns and beams are undergo shrinkage whilst in service, the extent of which depends on weather patterns i.e. temperature and relative humidity. In this laboratory-based project, you will investigate the influence of early stage exposure on dimensional stability. Factors to be investigated include cement type, temperature, humidity and UV exposure.
Who is this for? Anyone with interest in civil engineering materials, knowledge of cement and concrete and keen to gain laboratory experience

Heba N. Sabboubeh

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Sustainable construction and green architecture and smart cities.

2. Construction project management & project management methodologies.

3. Environmental management in construction.

4. Recycled material in construction, and construction waste recycling.

5. Construction in conflict zones, political architecture, social architecture, and humanitarian architecture.

6. Modern methods in construction and off-site construction.

7. Regeneration in construction, conversion, and adaptation of old buildings.

8. Diversity in the construction trades, and women’s involvement.

9. Affordable and sustainable housing and urban development.

10. Enhancing teaching and learning experience in the construction and built environment courses.

Marina Bock

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Structural performance of aluminium alloys. Scope for lab work, numerical modelling work or desk study. The desk study will involve creating a database of structural performance data, the lab work could include measuring relevant data in the lab and the numerical modelling work will require you to develop computer models with a finite element software. Scope for 3 projects.

2. Generative design applied in structures. This project will require you to perform generative design using Autodesk Fusion to generate complex and optimised organic structures. You will also explore to 3D print the generated design outcomes. There is freedom to select the structure you want to look at from simple supported beams to complex connections. Scope for 2 projects.

3D printed metallic alloys. This is a desk study project that will require you to undertake a thorough literature review on 3D printed material data available in scientific journals. You will analyses the data you have obtained and draw conclusions. The data analysis might involve adjusting/deriving mathematical models. Scope for 1-2 projects.

Matteo Rubinato

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1) Sewer Rehabilitation in the UK

Objective: Critically evaluate current practices, challenges, and advancements in sewer rehabilitation in the UK. It aims to assess the effectiveness of existing legislation, engineering methods, and sustainability measures in addressing ageing sewer infrastructure. The dissertation will provide recommendations for enhancing sewer rehabilitation strategies to ensure long-term functionality, environmental protection, and flood mitigation in line with regulatory requirements.
Approach: The dissertation will adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, combining a literature review, case study analysis, and possibly interviews with industry professionals. The literature review will cover key legislation, technical standards, and rehabilitation technologies. Case studies of sewer rehabilitation projects in different parts of the UK will provide practical insights into challenges and best practices.
Potential Topics:
- Legislative Framework: An evaluation of UK legislation, such as the Water Industry Act 1991 and Building Regulations 2010, and their influence on sewer rehabilitation.
- Rehabilitation Technologies: A comparison of traditional and modern techniques, including trenchless technologies like cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining and pipe bursting.
- Environmental Impact: The role of sewer rehabilitation in reducing pollution and achieving Water Framework Directive objectives.
Type: Desk-based research

2) Evaluation of SuDS Effectiveness in Urban Flood Mitigation

Objective: Analyze the effectiveness of SuDS in reducing urban flood risk through case studies to be identified via a state-of-the-art literature review, focusing on challenges posed by climate change and increased urbanization.
Potential Topics:
- Comparative analysis of SuDS implementations in different cities.
- Role of SuDS in managing pluvial and fluvial flooding.
- Assessment of SuDS performance under extreme weather events (e.g., climate change scenarios).
Type: Desk-based research

3) Impact of SuDS on Water Quality Improvement

Objective: Explore how SuDS contribute to improving water quality by filtering pollutants before they enter natural water bodies. This will be achieved by conducting a state-of-the-art literature review and meta-analysis of studies on the water quality benefits of SuDS components (e.g., bio-retention systems, green roofs).
Potential Topics:
- Effectiveness of different SuDS in removing specific pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, nutrients, sediments).
- Role of vegetated SuDS (rain gardens, wetlands) in nutrient uptake and pollutant breakdown.
Type: Desk-based research

4) Flow Around Structures

Objective: Study how water flow interacts with different structures such as bridge piers, embankments, or artificial reefs.
Potential Topics:
- Vortex shedding and flow separation around bridge piers.
- Scouring effects and erosion patterns near structures.
Type: Laboratory based work

5) Dam Spillways and energy dissipators

Objective: Conduct an experimental study on dam spillways and energy dissipators, focusing on optimizing their design for effective flood control and structural safety. The research aims to analyze the hydraulic behavior of spillways under different flow conditions and evaluate the performance of various energy dissipators in reducing downstream erosion and structural damage. The findings will provide recommendations for improving the design of spillways and dissipators to enhance dam safety and environmental protection.
Potential Topics:
- Hydraulic Performance of Spillways: Investigation of the flow characteristics over different types of spillways under varying discharge conditions.
- Construction and testing of a physical spillway model to evaluate hydraulic behavior and optimize design parameters.
- Comparative analysis of common dissipator designs such as stilling basins, plunge pools, and stepped spillways in terms of energy dissipation and erosion control.
Type: Laboratory based work

6) Hydraulic Jump Analysis

Objective: Study the characteristics of hydraulic jumps, including energy dissipation and flow pattern transitions. This will be achieved by varying the flow rate to produce hydraulic jumps in the flume and measure water surface profiles and velocity fields.
Potential Topics:
- The role of downstream slope on hydraulic jump formation.
- Energy dissipation across different Froude numbers.
- Application of hydraulic jumps in energy dissipation structures (like spillways).

Type: Laboratory based work

Nii Ankrah

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Health and Safety in construction
2. Waste Management in construction
3. Contract administration and dispute resolution
4. Project Delay and Cost Overrun related topics
5. Tendering and procurement practices in construction

Nikolaos Tziavos

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Performance of composite connections for offshore wind turbine structures (>2 projects available)
Laboratory based work, with necessary training to be provided. Focus on material or structural level

2. Influence of loading conditions on the performance of Ultra-high performance grouts
Laboratory based work, with necessary training to be provided.

3. Acoustic Emission testing and/or Impact Echo for defect detection on Reinforced Concrete structures
Laboratory based work, with necessary training to be provided. Previous experience with concrete desirable

4. Continuous monitoring of reinforced concrete elements using acoustic emission

Desk based study focusing on data analysis of field and experimental testing.

Mershack Opoku Tetteh

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

My research interests cover a wide range in the area of construction engineering with a focus on construction project management and advanced technology applications.

1. This includes international construction and management
strategies;

2. Forming and building hybrid-oriented project-based partnerships – international construction joint ventures;

3. Contract management and administration;

4. Construction procurement and digital supply chain management;

5. Green and sustainable construction;

6. Transforming aged existing buildings to Net Zero Energy Buildings;

7. Developing comprehensive models for complex infrastructure management processes;

8. Intelligent decision support systems for infrastructure design, construction, maintenance, and operation processes;

9. Modular and offsite construction;

10. Building information modeling;

11. Artificial intelligence, and other digital technologies - i.e. augmented reality, digital twin.

James Hart

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

Pollution transport in environmental flows (Rivers, Wetlands, Ponds etc.)

Pollution transport in water distribution networks
Pollution transport in groundwater systems
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and stormwater management
Nature based solutions for flood mitigation
Nature based solutions for pollution mitigation
General environmental hydraulics and hydrology

Ahmed Abed

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Assessing the energy and carbon footprint of asphalt mixtures: This project involves analysing the carbon emissions associated with various pavement construction techniques, such as hot mix asphalt (HMA) versus warm mix asphalt (WMA).

2. Designing permeable pavements for stormwater management: This project involves creating and evaluating different permeable pavement designs to determine their effectiveness in managing stormwater runoff, and reducing flooding risk.

3. Optimisation of pothole repair conditions: This project involves laboratory based work to analyse bonding strength of pothole repair materials with existing pavement surface.

4. Designing of balanced asphalt mixtures to optimise cracking and rutting asphalt performance: This project involves designing and testing new asphalt mixtures with optimised performance against rutting and fatigue cracking distress.

5. Life cycle sustainability assessment of various pavement maintenance methods: This projects involves assessing various environmental, social, and economic impacts of asphalt over a certain period of time and performing multi criteria decision making to make informed decisions.

Sustainable ground improvement techniques: literature review study could cover traditional techniques (like compaction) alongside newer methods (such as soil modification using by-products and recycled materials), evaluating their environmental impacts, cost-effectiveness, and performance.
Impact of climate change on soil properties: literature review study could cover how changing climate conditions (such as increased rainfall, droughts, and temperature fluctuations) affect soil characteristics like shear strength, compressibility, and permeability.

Tala Kasim

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Challenges of managing construction information and data sharing- BIM Integrated solutions for construction managements
2. New approach for residential property development through transparent project planning and control
3. Health and safety at constructions site, use of QR-based information management system
4. Development of information management system of construction equipment- A case study for Aston University construction labs
5. Comparative study on environmental assessment methods an rating systems used in the UK and Internationally and the possibility for automation
6. Any student suggested topic on the field of BIM, digital construction and the impact of COVID 19 on construction workflow

Behzad Rahimzadeh

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Electronic Data Monitoring of Asphalt Pavement Resurfacing

2. Advance technology and tools for evaluation, testing, specification, mixture proportioning and optimisation for materials used in highway construction, preservation, maintenance, and rehabilitation.

3. Preservation tools, technologies, and guidance to help maintain pavements in good condition.

4. Environmental stewardship and sustainability to provide tools and technologies to enable appropriate consideration of the short and long-term environmental implications of pavement engineering decisions, and support expanded use of recycled, reused, and marginal materials in highway pavement construction without detriment to long-term performance.

5. Pavement management tools and technologies to help understand the condition and performance of the pavement network and make sound decisions concerning investments to preserve and improve the system.

6. Whole Life Carbon of Highway projects

Gayan Wedawatta

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Financial performance of large-scale construction companies - trends, challenges and opportunities

2. Late and delayed payment in construction, security of payment

3. Post-pandemic risk management in small and medium-sized construction companies

4. Digitalising contract management in construction

5. Collaborative procurement practices in the construction industry - Use of New Models of Construction Procurement

6. Smart contracts in construction - current state of play

7. Review of teaching pedagogy used in built environment UG/PG programmes

8. Living technology in the built environment - Technology maturity assessment

9. Integration of smart and nature-based solutions for disaster resilience

10. Disaster and climate change resilience in the built environment

Maxwell Fordjour Antwi-Afari

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

Critical risk and success factors on the adoption of wearable exoskeletons in construction

Wearable sensing technologies for safety and health management in construction: current use, benefits, and barriers

Applications of energy harvesting systems for construction safety management: A systematic literature review
Automation and Robotics Systems in Industrial Management: A Systematic and Scientometric Review
Digital twin and human-robot collaboration in the human-centric smart construction environment
Human robot collaboration in industrial applications: A systematic review of measurements, technologies, and challenges
Barriers and strategies for implementing robotics and additive manufacturing in the construction industry
A systematic review of statistical methods, machine learning, and deep learning algorithms for ergonomic risk assessment methods in construction
Implementation of cybersecurity technologies in project lifecycle: A review and conceptual framework
A systematic review of digital twins, big data, and blockchain technology towards Construction 5.0 applications
Factors affecting the implementation of self-powered wearable IoT sensors in the construction industry: A structural equation modeling and fuzzy set theory
Drivers/Barriers/Strategies for the adoption of advanced digital technologies (Digital twin, AR/VR/XR, robotics, blockchain, etc) for sustainable construction projects in developed and developing countries: Structural Equation Modelling, Fuzzy Set Theory, Delphi Approach, Artificial Neural Network, Factor Analysis
Cognitive behaviors of human-robot collaboration in complex industrial operations
Any suggested topic in the field of Construction Informatics, Construction Health & Safety, Construction Ergonomics, Digital Construction Technologies and Innovations (e.g., BIM, wearable sensors, IoT, Digital twin, robotics, exoskeleton, etc.)

Angeliki Karperaki

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Impact of climate change on coastal protection strategies

The energetic content of the ocean has risen significantly in the past decade having a profound impact on coastal regions and local societies. This project involves a state-the-art review of common practices in coastal protection, identification of a specific case study (geographic area of interest) and a critical appraisal of climate change mitigation approaches.

2. Very Large Floating Structures as means for eco-friendly land creation

Very Large Floating Structures (or VLFSs) have gathered attention as cost effective land reclamation alternatives. Whether it is to decongest busy coastal areas or to exploit inland bodies of water VLFSs have been used for storage, irrigation and recreation among others. This project will focus on a review of VLFS applications and design considerations both inland and offshore.

3. Optimization methods in structural engineering applications

The efficient design of a structure (or part of it) subject to realistic constrains like cost, weight, geometric considerations for individual members etc. is essentially an optimization problem. This project will address modern mathematical optimization methods relevant to structural engineering and perform a numerical study on a given structure using MATLAB.

4. Floating Solar farms: state-of-the-art review and challenges

Floating solar farms is a novel idea that could enrich modern energy systems and promote the use of renewable energy. This project will undertake the state-of-the art review of established practices, identify key challenges is going global and attempt a rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Kenny Park

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Construction Technology to Tackle the Climate Crisis and Net Zero Carbon

2. Demolition and deconstruction.

3. Whole life management for construction projects.

4. The challenges facing UK construction.

5. Smart System for Construction Project Management.

6. Technology Adoption in Construction.

Haris (Charalampos) Alexakis

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. A brief history of the Masonry Arch: from Mesopotamia to Modern Times

For those with interest to learn more about the Architectural Heritage, History of Structures or Structural Mechanics

2. Fibre optic sensors and their applications in Civil Engineering

For those with interest in Digital Technologies, like fibre optic sensing systems, for enhanced management and maintenance of civil infrastructure.

3. Non-destructive testing methods and their applications in Bridge Monitoring

For those with interest in Digital Technologies, like acoustic emission sensing systems, for enhanced management and maintenance of bridges.

4. Acceleration-based deterioration monitoring for ageing infrastructure

For those with interest to learn more about signal processing and how to use accelerators for the condition monitoring of structures.

5. Fibre Optic-based deterioration monitoring for ageing infrastructure

The focus is on the use of novel sensing to tackle the challenge of complex deteriorating system, such as old Victorian Railway Bridges

Mujib Rahman

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

Project 1: Thermal properties of modified asphalt mixtures

More than 80% of the globally paved road network is comprised of asphalt pavements. Hot mix asphalt mixture is used in 90% asphalt pavement construction. Uncontrolled temperature during construction is one of the primary reasons for the premature failure of road surfaces. Research has shown that the quality of road construction and maintenance is significantly inferior in winter than summer months. The objective of this project to determine the thermal properties of various modified asphalt mixtures to ensure all seasons (summer, winter, rainy season) superior road construction and maintenance.

This is a lab-based project. Necessary training will be provided. Student will have the opportunity to work with key industrial partners.
(2 student projects could be supported)

Project 2: The performance of high PSV recycled aggregate as an anti-slip material

One of the important characteristics of roads is the frictional force between the road surface and the vehicle tyres. This force has a direct and critical effect on the skid resistance of vehicles on roads, which makes it a rather important factor when investigating traffic accidents. Many studies have demonstrated that how this factor affects the accident rates on roads. Maintaining acceptable limits of skid resistance is required during the service life of the paved surfaces. However, specific locations, such as pedestrian crossings, bus lanes, roundabout approaches, steep long grades, fast bends, accident blackspots, and high-stress areas, require higher levels of skid resistance due to the higher risk of accidents at these locations. In the UK, many of these high-stress locations are finished with Type 1 High Friction Surface (HFS). Due to the significant increase in demand, the raw material used in HFS becomes very expensive. The objective of this project is to various types of alternative materials in the construction of HFS.

This is a lab-based project. Necessary training will be provided. Students will have the opportunity to work with key industrial partners. ( 2 student projects could be supported)

Project 3: Integrated management of linear highway assets

In the developed world, approximately 90% of road spending is on maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) of the existing network to ensure safety and serviceability. Condition assessment at both network and project levels is, therefore, vital for optimum M&R design towards the goal of achieving sustainable transport infrastructure. Although machine-based condition monitoring, together with manual data collection, can generate continuous streams of data for highway assessment, the sheer variety and volume of the data present unique challenges for analysis and application. Analysing multiple metrics simultaneously further compounds these challenges. As technology continues to rapidly advance, it seems reasonable to question whether we are applying the most efficient and/or effective means for analysing the large volumes of linear highway assets (pavement, safety barrier, signpost, lamppost, side drain, etc) response data being collected. A systematic study is therefore needed to develop a model for distress inventory concerning the specific asset type and then develop robust methodologies for integrated asset management tools. This research project will do a comprehensive desktop study to review various tools and techniques available to road condition surveys, reviewing the current state of the art and identifying the gap in the knowledge.
This is a desktop study ( 2 student projects could be supported)

Project 4: Thermally conductive asphalt - This laboratory-based pilot study aims to investigate the functional, thermal, and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures incorporating foundry fillers. The project will entail the design and production of semi-impermeable asphalt specimens with 5%, 10%, and 20% conventional filler replacement. The project will evaluate the functional characteristics (macro and micro texture, wet and dry friction), thermal properties (thermal conductivity and diffusivity) and mechanical properties such as stiffness and tensile strength. All results will be compared with control mixtures.

Project 5: Sustainable Concrete – This laboratory-based pilot study will investigate the early-life behaviour of concrete containing recycled slag from steel profiling. The task will involve design and production of concrete specimens by replacing 5%, 10%, and 20% of sand and fine aggregate with recycled foundry slag and powder. A detail investigation will be carried out to evaluate the consistency of these mixtures in terms of their flowability, segregation, dispersion, and curing potential. Subsequently, the mixtures will undergo air and water curing, and their strength development will be monitored using non-destructive methods. Finally, the compressive and tensile strength will be determined and compared with control mixtures.

Denis Chamberlain

alexakish — 2024-09-20 00:05:55 UTC

1. Comparison of environmental impact for road transportation options.

Objective: to determine the best environmental options for future road transportation

Background:

Production of lithium-based batteries for electric vehicles could be responsible for one of the greatest ever ecological disasters in terms of land pollution. At the same time electric vehicles are seen as part of the solution for global warming. Is there a role for compressed air powered vehicles with their pure air exhaust. There are diesel power vehicles with superior performance and substantially less exhaust pollution than some modern petrol cars. How do hybrid vehicle compare and what about vehicles using fuel cells, are they safe. In view of the UK GOVs potential 20mph limit for cities, is there a role for e-power assisted cycles/trikes.

2. Preventing pothole repair failure in -15 to + 10 deg C ambient temperature range

Objective: To determine by digital modelling and laboratory experimentation an optimal preheating sequence (time and energy) for pothole repairs in the -15 to +15 deg C ambient temperature.

Background:

Current hot asphalt repair methods are unreliable because they are NOT founded on the scientific principles of thermal energy transfer within and between adjacent masses. This needs to be understood because asphalt material has high specific heat (large heating requirement), low thermal conductivity (weak heat propagation) and limited safe maximum working temperature (fire risk). Incorrectly, current repair methods rely on the hot mix, which is placed in the pothole, heating up the cold pothole surfaces to achieve a bond (>85 deg C). There are many influential factors such as thermal properties of repair mix and pothole void, pothole dimensions, climatic conditions (wind and ambient temp etc), temperature of the repair mix and pothole void and speed of repair process (especially in cold weather). Preheating the base asphalt prior to placing the hot asphalt fill is a way of ensuring repair interface temperature remains above 85degC during the following compaction stage. This invest heat energy is shared with the placed fill mix.

Aston University pavement laboratory has a mobile heater for pre-heating pothole repairs.

3. Preventing cold weather pothole repair failures when using cooled asphalt mix fill.

Objective: To determine by digital modelling and laboratory experimentation preheating sequences for pothole repairs using asphalt mix fill in the 100 -120 deg C range for 5 degC ambient temperature.

Background:

Current hot asphalt repair methods are unreliable because they are NOT founded on the scientific principles of thermal energy transfer within and between adjacent masses. This needs to be understood because asphalt material has high specific heat (large heating requirement), low thermal conductivity (weak heat propagation) and limited safe maximum working temperature (fire risk). Incorrectly, current repair methods rely on the hot mix, which is placed in the pothole, heating up the cold pothole surfaces to achieve a bond (>85 deg C). There are many influential factors such as thermal properties of repair mix and pothole void, pothole dimensions, climatic conditions (temps, wind etc), temperature of the repair mix and pothole void and speed of repair process (especially in cold weather). Preheating the base asphalt prior to placing the hot asphalt fill is a way of ensuring repair interface temperature is remains above 85degC during the following compaction stage.

Aston University pavement laboratory has a mobile heater for pre-heating pothole repairs.

4. Effectiveness of pre-heating in the application of thin overlays (25mm & 40mm) on low temperature asphalt base.

Objective: To determine by digital modelling and experimentation the shear and bond strength of hot applied mastic overlays on pre-heated asphalt base applied in cold weather conditions.

Background:

Current hot asphalt overlay surfacing methods are unreliable because they are NOT founded on the scientific principles of thermal energy transfer within and between adjacent masses. This needs to be understood because asphalt material has high specific heat (large heating requirement), low thermal conductivity (weak heat propagation), possible weak transfer at interfaces (overlay - base) and limited safe maximum working temperature (fire risk). Incorrectly, current hot overlays at 140degC, for example, are expected to always remain >85degC on base-overlay interface during laying and the following compaction process. At low temperature this is unlikely to be realised thus risking bond failure on the overlay-base interface. There are many influential factors such as thermal properties of overlay mix and asphalt base, climatic conditions (temps, wind etc), temperature of the overlay mix and road base and speed of overlay process (especially in cold weather). Preheating the base asphalt prior to placing the hot asphalt fill is a way of ensuring repair interface temperature remains above 85degC during the following compaction stage.

Tension (pull off), shear strength and tracker wheel testing are possible ways of assessing the likely durability of the overlay.

Aston University pavement laboratory has a mobile heater for pre-heating asphalt surfaces.

5. Effectiveness of pre-heating in the application of thin overlays (25mm & 40mm) on low temperature concrete base.

Objective: To determine by digital modelling and experimentation the shear and bond strength of hot applied mastic overlays on pre-heated concrete base applied in cold weather conditions.

Background:

There are many influential factors such as thermal properties of repair mix and overlay thickness, climatic conditions (temps, wind etc), temperature of the overlay mix and concrete road base and speed of laying process (especially in cold weather). Preheating the concrete base, prior to placing the hot overlay, is a way of ensuring repair interface temperature is marginally above 85degC during the following compaction stage.

Tension (pull off), shear strength and tracker wheel testing are possible ways of assessing the likely durability of the overlay.

Aston University pavement laboratory has a mobile heater for pre-heating concrete surfaces.

6. Managing RAAC Concrete in Buildings and Structures

Objective: To objectively review the threat and management of RAAC concrete in buildings

Background:

The current RAAC (Reactive Aluminous Aggregate Concrete) scare refers to the concerns and controversies surrounding the use of RAAC in construction projects.. The background to the current RAAC scare can be traced back to the 1990s when RAAC was first introduced as a promising alternative to traditional concrete. It was marketed as a durable and sustainable material with potential applications in various construction projects.

As a result of failure incidents, regulatory bodies and industry organizations started investigating the use of RAAC and its potential risks. Guidelines and standards were developed to provide recommendations for the use of RAAC in construction projects. Despite these efforts, the RAAC scare continues to persist due to the inherent uncertainties and challenges associated with the material. The long-term performance of RAAC remains a subject of debate, and there is a lack of consensus among experts regarding its suitability for various applications. As a result, many construction professionals and project owners have become cautious about using RAAC, opting for alternative materials with proven track records. This has led to a decline in the demand for RAAC and a shift towards more traditional concrete mixes.

Activity: Desk top data/information gathering and analysis.