GSL Research News
Evaluation
of Concrete for New Chickamauga Lock
Concrete cracks at one of the lock ports used for filling and emptying
the chamber
Researchers in GSL’s Concrete and Materials Branch (CMB) are conducting the
initial material evaluation of concrete proposed for the new Chickamauga Lock,
being constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Nashville District.
This evaluation includes determining the quality of the cement, fine and coarse
aggregates, mineral additives, and chemical admixtures. In addition, CMB team
members will determine the concrete mixture proportions of the various types of
concrete recommended for lock construction and how each of those mixtures will
be used. Their research will also address how well the mixtures resist conditions
such as freezing and thawing, chemical attack, alkali reactivity, and barge impacts.
This work represents one aspect of the Engineer Research and Development Center's
(ERDC) responsibility to serve as the USACE laboratory for quality assurance. ERDC
laboratories perform this function for Corps Districts, by providing assurance that
all construction materials meet the minimum requirements of the project
specifications. Construction materials include portland-cement concretes, asphalt
concrete, soils, stones, joint materials, steel reinforcements, and other materials
as requested. For further details, contact the GSL
Concrete and Materials Branch or visit the Materials Testing Center Web site.
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