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2019 
Research:

TCA is a 10-plus year supporter of the RMC Foundation with an annual pledge of $1000 to the Foundation. Through 2019, TCA has contributed $17,000 to the RMC Foundation. 

Commercial & Residential Enhanced Durability (CRED) Research:

This study was undertaken to support the work of the TCA Technical Committee with regard to ACI 332 and exterior concrete durability. Because of the increasing prevalence of magnesium chloride in commercially available de-icing products, this research was designed to focus on potential impacts from the use of these products on common concrete mixtures being used in Tennessee.  Phase One of the study was completed in 2018 and results can be seen HERE. As expected, impacts of the use of de-icers can be measured and the research demonstrated these impacts.

 

Phase Two of this study was undertaken in 2019 to determine effect methods of protecting exterior concrete from chemical attack (specificially Magnesium Chloride). This project will have final testing in early 2020 but most testing data has been compiled and can be reviewed here. Our research demonstrates that protection can be achieved through advanced mix designs or through the application of penetrating sealers such as silane. This is important information for ready mix producers to provide to their customers and TCA will create a ‘1-pager’ that TCA members can use to inform their customers about how to protect their concrete investment. 

While most of TCA's research is product-focused, we know that people - especially mixer operators - are what truly drive our operations. TCA conducted a mixer operator survey in early 2019 to collect data on how mixer operator's viewed their jobs - you can see the survey HERE.

TCA Ready Mix Operator Survey Results

Beneficiated Fly Ash Research Project:

Because a reliable, consistent source of fly ash is so critical to the concrete’s industry ability to produce durable, high performance concrete TCA has been active in lobbying the Tennessee Valley Authority to switch from landfilling fly ash at several coal-fired power plants in Tennessee to investing in one of several beneficiation processes that could turn TVA’s disposal problem into a profit opportunity while preserving and extending a vital resource for the concrete industry in Tennessee and surrounding states. (See more information on this effort in our Public Policy section)

 

To support our work to bring more beneficiated fly ash to the market in Tennessee, TCA worked with long-time research partner Dr. L.K. Crouch at Tennessee Technological University to do a study on the impact of using beneficiated fly ash in concrete mixtures utilizing common Tennessee materials. The research was performed by students at TTU in the summer of 2018. An abstract of the research project can be seen HERE. This research will be presented by TTU at the 2019 World of Coal Ash. 

ACI 332 Mix Design Research:

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The TCA Technical Committee came together to test both the fresh and hardened properties of mixes typically supplied for residential concrete driveways. Different mixes were run in the lab to simulate what happens to concrete when a producer’s mixes are subject to the addition of water (often significant amounts of water) at the jobsite. Tests were run to determine properties both before and after the addition of water, including the collection of calometric data above to show the impact of water addition on set times. While there were no surprises in the data, it was very useful to show not only the reduction in the strength that comes from water addition, but also the increase in set time. Data can be found HERE.

Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) Research:

PLC is not widely used in Tennessee as of 2018, with only one cement supplier marketing PLC in Tennessee (at only one terminal in Memphis, TN). However, it appears that PLC may increase in both availability and use going forward so TCA responded to a research request from students at TTU interested in comparing concrete mixtures utilizing PLC to those using conventional Type 1 cement. TCA helped in getting a sample of PLC to the TTU campus and students were able to begin their research. A plan of the research can be seen HERE.

2017 Research:

Research: Finishing & Handling

Research: Finishing & Handling

The TCA Campus provided space for a new research project with a proprietary product in 2017. The project involved both engineering properties of the concrete mix design and the finishing and handling characteristics of the mix. MTSU provided the testing services for the engineering portion of the study and two TCA contractor members worked on the project to provide feedback on finishing and handling of the mix. Five slabs totaling 40 cubic yards of concrete were placed (on the same day) for the project and all slabs included internal wireless sensors to transmit temperature and humidity information. Information is transmitted via Bluetooth to an I-phone app where it can be accessed, downloaded and shared with the participants in the project.

Pervious Cleaning Research

TCA also gathered data from several pervious concrete cleaning projects in 2017 & 2018 to add to our database of cleaning information from prior years. TCA is one of the pioneers to seek out and validate the best methods of maintain and cleaning pervious concrete pavements and we take a research-based approach to our cleaning projects. TCA gathers data on before and after infiltration (using ASTM C-1701 as our test method) along with recording the time required to clean pavements and the amount of sediment removed from these pavements. This info has been compiled into presentations and shared with various industry and allied groups to demonstrate in a factual way that pervious concrete can be easily maintained and that clogged pavements can be remediated successfully.

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