new concrete compostion

[Birdhunter1]

This stuff is still under development, but since it was developed at the universtiy where I work I have to let EVERYONE know about it:

http://news.siu.edu/news/February05/022305kj5012.jsp

Basically it replaces sand as an ingredient in concrete and uses bottom ash from coal fired power plants instead.

 

[johnday]

Birdhunter1; Interesting. It looks like they are rehashing something that's been around for a long time. Read that, tax dollars at work. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I'm at the Monroe Power Plant of DTE. But don't tell anyone. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
We're one of the largest bottom and flyash producers around. Over the last few years, we have been selling bottom ash to a shingle making company. Also, flyash has been used in concrete for years. For some reason, niether of these uses has ever caught on, except maybe for what were the real cinder blocks years ago. I can see why that technology went by the wayside though.
We're also on the verge of adding scrubbers in the next couple years, and plans call for a gypsum/drywall plant possibility for that.
Sure am glad I'll be retired by then. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[EastTexFrank]

I believe the Romans used something similar 2000 years ago but in their case they used volcanic ash.

Similar processes have been around for a long time, I think they are called "pozzilan cements". They are mainly used for making lighter weight, less dense cements though, depending on the quantity used, they don't usually have the compressive strength of regular cement. It doesn't say what makes this any different from what already exists. They may have just rediscvered the wheel but surely they have improved it in some way.