As a part of Nirma University Funded Minor Research Project, a Sustainable High Volume Flyash Concrete Pavement, M40 grade, 3.5m in width and 6.0m in length was constructed on June 23, 2020. The pavement was constructed by replacing 50% of Cement with Flyash – an industrial waste generated from burning coal at thermal power plants. Apart from Cement and Flyash, the construction of concrete pavement requires Fine and Coarse Aggregates, Water and a Chemical Admixture, which is used to increase the workability of concrete and also to reduce the water content, thereby increasing the durability of concrete pavement. During the laboratory investigations, with 50% Cement replaced with Flyash, the characteristic compressive strength of 40 N/mm2 and a Flexural Strength of 4.5 N/mm2 was achieved. The results are at par with the Concrete Pavement constructed on Major Roads and National Highways, where a maximum of 20% of Cement is replaced with Flyash. However the durability aspects needs to be investigated.
Mr. Raghunath Patil, Assistant General Manager (Technical) NUVOCO Vistas Corp. Ltd., visited the campus along with his team member to witness the construction of sustainable concrete pavement. The project was carried out by Prof. Hemanth Kamplimath (PI) and Prof. Vineet Kothari (Co-PI), under the mentorship of Dr. Urmil Dave, Professor and Head, Civil Engineering Department.