PhD students from various universities will share their latest research in cement, concrete, and construction, with projects ranging widely from durability issues, structural challenges, cement chemistry, recycling, and much more. This is a unique opportunity to learn about innovative solutions and technological advancements that can transform the future of concrete as a building material. Come and be inspired by tomorrow's experts!
Note: This event will be held in English.
PROGRAM
Welcome and brief introduction to the day's program
by Katarina Kolding Schlage and Katja Udbye Christensen, Dansk Betonforenings Idé og Foredragsudvalg
Boosting Clay Reactivity through Mechanical Activation for Low-Carbon Cement Production
by Marcelly P. Ciprano, FLSmidth Cement / RWTH Aachen
Reducing CO₂ emissions from cement production requires using alternative materials to replace part of the clinker. With traditional options of supplementary cementitious materials becoming less available, attention is turning to clays as a more widely available resource. As part of the DETOCS project, this work looks at how mechanical activation can improve the reactivity of clays in cement. We also investigate how current test methods reflect that reactivity, highlighting the need to match testing approaches with the specific characteristics of each clay. In addition, we are exploring how mechanical activation works at a fundamental level, and how grinding parameters and material's properties influence reactivity.
Clays, Chemistry, and the Clock: Accelerating Reactivity Insight in low-carbon cement design
by Sandra Mujombi, FLSmidth Cement / RWTH Aachen / University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The cement industry is urged to reduce CO₂ emissions, with clinker substitution by supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) representing the most effective strategy. However, as the availability of traditional SCMs such as fly ash and blast furnace slag progressively diminish, there is a need to identify and evaluate alternative SCMs. This highlights the importance of fast methods to assess SCM reactivity, particularly given their inherent variability. While current tests, such as the R3 method, correlate well with strength development, their extended duration (7 days) limits their applicability for online industrial use. To overcome that, we are looking into novel test methods in the DETOCS project; and this is the topic of my presentation. We will introduce the UR2 test - a method that can assess SCM reactivity in 5 minutes - and showcase its application on industrial calcined clay.
Reuse of Structural Concrete Elements: Documentation of Properties by Non-Destructive Testing
By Serkan Karatosun, DTU SUSTAIN
The reuse of structural concrete elements offers significant environmental benefits but remains limited due to the absence of reliable documentation methods. This presentation introduces a practical, non-destructive testing procedure developed for assessing the properties of structural concrete elements in existing buildings. The methodology was validated through laboratory studies and full-scale field applications and forms the basis for a new guideline (DS/INF) published by Danish Standards. The outcomes enable the safe and scalable reuse of structural elements, supporting the circular transition of the construction industry in Denmark.
Investigation of dry and semi-dry mineral carbonation process at high temperatures
by Arailym Umirova, DTU Chemical Engineering
This presentation investigates a high-temperature dry and semi-dry mineral carbonation as a method for CO₂ capture in the cement industry. CO₂ reacts with solid sorbents such as natural minerals, industrial wastes and cement-based materials to form stable carbonates, which can be later reused in concrete. The study demonstrates promising potential for optimizing this process to enable circular and low-emission construction practices.