August 8-11, 2006

University of Florida, Hilton Hotel and Conference Center
Gainesville, Florida

Background

     The nano-modification of cementitious materials has the potential to open up whole new uses and classes of construction materials, with wide-ranging implications for society. The use of nanotechnology brings the ability to target changes at the nano-structural level to optimize material behavior and performance. The 2000 Presidential Commission on Nanotechnology likened the potential impact of nanotechnology on society to that of the Industrial Revolution.

     The U.S. alone currently expends $270 billion per year on new transportation infrastructure construction. The latter does not include the cost of maintenance or repair of existing critical infrastructure (e.g., bridges, overpasses, etc.), which generally have a service life of fifty to seventy-five years. While technology continues to accelerate (nanotechnology in particular), it leaves in its wake an incredible plethora of innovative materials for aircraft, electronics, and automobiles. With the global population expanding exponentially, it is critical that we broaden our traditional approaches and provide the civil infrastructure necessary to sustain the economic growth catalyzed largely by advances in technology and information systems. The introduction of nanotechnology into construction materials promises to deliver high-performance, longer lasting, "designer" materials for specific applications and needs.

     The focus of the workshop will on the identification of the key issues facing civil infrastructure and pavements that can be greatly affected by nano-engineering at the materials level. These will include improved impact and structural performance, durability, and constructability, as well as innovative methods for recycling and material design. Within each of these categories, the workshop participants will identify new materials, tools for characterization, and modeling needs.

     The scope of the workshop will include nano-engineering of cementitious and bituminous materials, characterization and processing of nano-modified cementitious and bituminous materials as well as nano-modified admixtures and modifiers. Besides the presentation of fundamental research findings, applications to civil infrastructure and pavements will be emphasized.