Casey Jones, Civil Engineering Doctoral Student-University of Arkansas, has been selected to present his research at the 12th fib International Ph.D. Symposium in Civil Engineering (Fédération internationale du béton-International Federation For Structural Concrete) that will be held August 29-31, 2018 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Jones’ research is centered on improving the longevity of concrete pavements. He is specifically working to reduce structural deterioration caused by deicing salts. When icy roadways are treated with salt, the salt can work its way into the roadway joints, eventually compromising the joints and creating a structural hazard that must be remediated. Fly ash replacement research is being actively looked at in northern parts of the United States and in Canada. Jones, a native of Scott, Arkansas, believes the research is relevant for Arkansas as well.
“Arkansas may not go into long-term deep freezing, but we have a lot of 28-40-degree temperature ranges where there will be some type of preventative placed on the road during wintry weather. So, we do get enough use of those deicing salts for there to be long-term problems,” he said.
“[Concrete] pavements are usually designed in 30-50-year design lives,” Jones said. “The damage caused by deicing salts can reduce the lifespan by 15-20 years. But, there are reported instances of having to replace joint sections after five years, due to salt deterioration.”
Jones, a Doctoral Academy Fellow, is examining the feasibility of replacing the cement used in concrete with fly ash, a recyclable material from the coal industry. He stated, “Fly ash can provide better long-term durability and reduced permeability. It is also considerably cheaper than cement.”
Long-term, fly ash concrete is typically stronger than portland cement concrete, although fly ash has some drawbacks—include scaling where the top layer of the pavement erodes away, and reduced early compressive strength, which could cause the concrete to take longer to mold.
Jones said, “I am working to determine appropriate replacement rates for fly ash. I’m trying to see at what level we can increase our fly ash to get decent longevity, but not go too far where the fly ash begins to act in a negative manner. It’s a balancing act.”
Jones began his doctoral program in spring 2017, so he is still in the early stages of his research. He is excited to see where the research leads and is thankful to have the support of his adviser, Dr. Micah Hale, Professor & Head-College of Engineering (CVEG)-Civil Engineering-University of Arkansas. “Dr. Hale is really great. He gives me the support I need, but he also gives me the freedom to take the lead on my work. Really, the entire civil engineering department has given me great support,” said Jones.
The support Jones has received from his department and the campus influenced his decision to call the University of Arkansas home for his entire academic career. Jones earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas, and he hope to complete his doctoral degree in spring 2020.
For the entire University of Arkansas Newsletter article, please go to: https://news.uark.edu/articles/42322/doctoral-student-aims-to-improve-arkansas-roads-with-coal-byproduct