01.12.2025
Research projects
Carbonation of the Future
The future of concrete recycling is taking shape here: through the targeted sequestration of CO₂ in demolition concrete, the project is investigating an innovative approach to improving the separation of aggregate and cement stone during demolition. The optimized separation of aggregate and hardened cement paste enables the recovery of valuable secondary materials and, thus, makes an important contribution to strengthening the circular economy in the construction sector in order to achieve sustainability goals.
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01.04.2024
Research projects
High-quality recycling of crushed concrete sand
In the ZIM research project, used concrete is processed in such a way as to improve the usability of all fractions generated, in particular the crushed sand and the fine fraction. To this end, tests are also being carried out on the pozzolanic reactivation of the recycled concrete fines.
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01.02.2025
Research projects
Influence of the grinding system and the internal particle size distribution on the performance of cements with calcined clays
In the IGF research project 23643 N, relationships between the particle size distribution of different cement compounds (clinker, calcined clays and limestone powder), and their reactivity and influences on cement performance are being systematically investigated.
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01.01.2025
Research projects
Contribution of calcined clay as main constituent of cement to prevent alkali-silica reaction
The current requirements for low alkali cements mean that calcined clays can hardly be used as main constituent in such cements due to their alkali content. However, it is known that pozzolanic SCMs contribute to the prevention of ASR. The aim of the research project is therefore to systematically investigate the contribution of calcined clays to the prevention of ASR.
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01.07.2024
Research projects
Systematic application of IR spectroscopy to strengthen the circular economy in the construction industry
In this research project, IR spectroscopy in combination with mathematical tools (chemometrics) is going to be evaluated as an analytical method for the characterisation of silica based materials, primarily X-ray amorphous materials, with regard to the reliable determination of the composition of material mixtures with X-ray amorphous materials (e.g. ternary cements with calcined clay and/or recycled concrete fines). In a next step, the findings on the analytical method and evaluation routines developed for cement are going to be evaluated with regard to their transferability to siliceous aggregates for estimating its alkali sensitivity.
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01.07.2024
Research projects
Performance of ternary cements with Portland cement clinker, calcined clay and limestone as the main constituents
The project systematically investigates the performance and hydration behaviour of ternary cement (KQL) with clinker (K), calcined clay (Q) and limestone (L) as well as key durability aspects of concretes produced with these materials.
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01.05.2024
Research projects
Process atmosphere during clay calcination – effects on emissions and product properties
Calcined clays as the main cement constituent are an essential part of the cement industry's decarbonisation strategy. Many clay deposits have iron-rich impurities that form hematite during calcination, which colors the product, the cement and ultimately the concrete red. A reducing atmosphere during calcination and/or cooling can prevent the formation of hematite.
Systematic findings on the influence of secondary constituents in clays on their reactivity, emissions and cement-technical properties have hardly been available to date and are to be systematically investigated in the project.
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01.09.2022
Research projects
X-ray analysis for production control of cements with calcined clays
The subject of the IGF research project 22502 N is the application of X-ray diffraction analysis for production and quality control of calcined clays and cements produced with them, in order to accelerate the development of cements with further reduced clinker content within the framework of the decarbonisation of the cement industry.
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01.09.2022
Research projects
Elution of fresh concrete – determination concept
In the research project, testing methods were put to the test and an evaluation concept for fresh concrete leaching was developed. The derived maximum permissible releases were significantly lower than in all applications, so that, from the research centres' point of view, there is no need for testing or regulation of fresh concrete releases.
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01.07.2021
Research projects
Clinker burning with alternative fuels at low process temperatures - effects on coating formation and on the corrosion of refractory products in the cement rotary kiln as well as on the performance of cement
The replacement of primary fuels by alternative fuels is of great economic and ecological importance for the cement industry and is to be increased in the future. The fuel ashes are used as raw material in the cement clinker and influence its properties as well as the coating formation on the refractory lining in the kiln. Exact knowledge of these effects is indispensable for the further increase of the alternative fuel rate and the simultaneous optimisation of the kiln operation as well as for the maintenance of the clinker quality and the service life of the refractory lining.
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