11/15/2022
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, invites you to attend a master’s thesis defense by Hitesh Bhaskar More on “Design and Characterization of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Through A Two-Step Particle Packing Optimization Method.”

Candidate Name: Hitesh Bhaskar More
Degree: Master’s
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: CEE Department Conference Room (Shah Hall Room 200Y, North Campus)
Thesis/Dissertation Title: Design and Characterization of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Through A Two-Step Particle Packing Optimization Method

Advisor: Jianqiang Wei, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Jianqiang Wei, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Rajkumar Gondle, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Fanglin Che, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Brief Abstract:
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a cementitious composite material composed of an optimized gradation of granular constituents, a low water-to-cementitious materials ratio, and a high percentage of discontinuous internal fiber reinforcement. Due to its excellent mechanical properties, ease of placement and volume stability, UHPC is considered the future of structural materials. While research efforts have been invested into the utilization of chemical admixtures, reactive additives and fillers, as well as their packing density, there exist significant gaps in understanding the efficiency of supplementary cementitious materials, fibers, and the mixture design. In this study, a novel two-step particle packing optimization method was developed to improve the design of UHPC. The influences of two types of Portland cement (Type I/II and Type III), five supplementary cementitious materials (silica fume, ultra-fine fly ash, class C fly ash, class F fly ash, and metakaolin), four types of fiber (micro-steel fiber, polyvinyl alcohol fiber, basalt fiber, and glass fiber) and two curing conditions (regular lime water curing and steam curing) on mixture design and property optimization were investigated. The hydration behavior of the cementitious binders was characterized and linked to the evolutions of the physical and mechanical properties of UHPC.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.