Form ProjStat (Rev. 5/2013)

(RTI)

Research Project Statement 18-223
FY 2018 Annual Program
Title: / Assessment of Test Methods for Supplementary Cementitious Materials
The Problem: / Class F fly ash is the most widely used supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in Texas, but its availability is dwindling due to changes in coal fired power plant operations needed to comply with clean air requirements. Coal fired power plants are blending coal sources or switching coal sourcesresulting in lesser quality fly ashes or, the conversion of Class F fly ash to Class C fly ash. The blending of coal sources has routinely been used by the power generating industry to meet emission requirements, but these blends have been at relatively low percentages, resulting in fly ash that still predominately performs as a Class F fly ash. However, a recent review of the coal blending practices of Texas power generating plants has revealed that there are plants blending Powder River Basin (PRB) coal at very high percentages (65 percent lignite/35 percent PRB and 20 percentlignite/80 percent PRB), and are still able to meet the chemical requirements of ASTM C618 for a Class F fly ash. Some preliminary testing has shown that these higher PRB coal blends produce ashes that have compositional characteristics of both Class F and Class C fly ashes. Some producers are proposing to blend Class F and Class C fly ashes at proportions to meet Class F fly ash requirements; however, it is not clear how these ashes will perform (whether like a Class C fly ash or a Class F fly ash) and if the current TxDOT specifications for alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and sulfate resistance are still valid. ASTM specifications C618, C1778, and PP65 do not address this situation, so these specifications may need to be revised as well.
Given the potential reduction in good quality Class F fly ash availability, it is important to also find alternative materials that can maintain the high quality and durability of concrete in Texas. Many new SCMs are being promoted by suppliers, all of which meet ASTM C618 requirements; however, the primary requirement of an SCM is they show a pozzolanic reaction, and the current standards do not measure this characteristic. Non-reactive materials routinely pass ASTM C618. A rapid screening test is needed to approve new SCM sources in order to ensure the adequate supply of high quality, low cost SCMs for concrete construction.
Technical
Objectives: /
  1. Evaluate the durability of fly ashes produced from blended coal sources and blended fly ashes.
  2. Perform both accelerated and long-term durability testing. This is a national issue, so evaluate a wide variety of fly ashes from across the country.
  3. Perform compositional analysis to link performance to fly ash as chemistry.
  4. Perform a thorough review of ASTM C618 to determine if the prescribed limits are still valid for current fly ashes.
  5. Evaluate tests for pozzolanic reaction that are being currently being examined by researchers worldwide, based on a selection of SCMs representing a broad range of materials that could be used in Texas. The tests will be examined for accuracy, precision, and ease-of-use.

Desired
Deliverables: /
  1. Technical memorandum for each task completed.
  2. Monthly progress reports.
  3. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
  4. Research report documentinga testing protocol for use by TxDOT and third party labs to qualify materials for use in Texas, including recommendations to ASTM and AASHTO to modify their standard tests for SCMs.
  5. Project Summary Report.

Proposal
Requirements: /
  1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University Handbook)
  2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in RTI’s University Handbook.
  3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should include project name and university abbreviation.

Pre-Proposal Meeting Information: / Monday, March 27, 2017 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
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Conference Code: 734 178 806
Notifying RTI of Intent to Propose: / In order to be notified if additional project information is distributed by TxDOT, you must contact RTI, at (512) 416-4730 or by April 3, 2017, if you plan to propose.
Proposal
Deadline: / Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 p.m. Central Time, May 11, 2017. Email submissions should be sent to .

Project Statement 18-223