ACI Concrete Research Conference | 2023

The annual concrete conference organized by the Université Laval student committee of the Research Center on Concrete Infrastructure (CRIB) took place on September 20, 2023. Several faculty members, students and industry professionals gathered in Quebec City to present advances in concrete infrastructure research.

Benoît Fournier, Director of the CRIB, got the ball rolling by presenting a host of research projects currently underway on concrete durability in relation to the nature of the aggregates* used, while also mentioning the concrete uses of this research in everyday life, notably on hydroelectric dams, housing and road adhesion.

Jesus Gonzalez Pequeno, research engineer at Fortera, and Sherry Chapman, Vice President Marketing, presented their concept of a cement based on the process of coral and shell formation. The product would emit less CO2 mainly by reducing the number of inputs to the chemical reaction, and then reusing these emissions in the very creation of this unique cement*.

Mathieu Fiset presented concrete innovations by UQAC researchers, including the reuse of bauxite, a residue from aluminum production found in large quantities in the Saguenay region, in the production of concrete. What's more, the conductive nature of bauxite residues makes it an interesting material for innovative applications such as de-icing sidewalks," says the professor.

In the afternoon, Mathieu Argouges and Alexis Bonne from Hydro-Québec presented the fundamentals of hydroelectric dam safety and the challenges of concrete deterioration.

Samuel Bernier-Lavigne, professor of architecture, presented the prospects of digital concrete, better known from the angles of complex formwork* using reusable materials such as wax, and 3D printing. He also explored ways of minimizing the weight of infrastructures in order to improve their technical and aesthetic parameters.

Xavier Berger from Lafarge spoke about greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon capture in cement production itself, measuring carbon footprints, and ways in which the cement industry can reduce its emissions.

Thanks to the organizers, and see you next year!