Ultra‑High Performance Concrete (UHPC) delivers exceptional strength and durability, but widely used UHPC systems are often proprietary and prone to high autogenous/drying shrinkage due to very low water‑to‑binder ratios and high binder contents. This webinar introduces a practical, nonproprietary mixture design framework based on particle packing morphology. Using a multi‑binder system (cement + silica fume + ultra‑fine fly ash + slag) and multiple sand gradations, we define a Particle Packing Factor (PPF) derived from composite particle size distributions and packing curve fitting. We show how PPF links to workability (flow normalized by HRWR demand), strength development (3–28 days), open porosity, and drying shrinkage, enabling rational selection of constituent combinations that meet performance targets (e.g., IDOT shrinkage limits) while reducing costs through cement reduction.

Learning Objectives

• Define UHPC key performance attributes and explain why multi‑binder, non-proprietary UHPC designs require a packing‑based design metric.
• Compute and interpret a Particle Packing Factor (PPF) from constituent particle size distributions and relate PF to flow/HRWR, strength, and open porosity trends.
• Apply PPF‑based insights to select binder and aggregate gradations that reduce drying shrinkage while maintaining target mechanical performance for Illinois use cases.

1 hr CE credit

Registration

This is a virtual event on Zoom. All registrants MUST have a free Zoom account to access the webinar and must register with Zoom to receive the link.

Members - Free!
SEA Members - Free!
Nonmembers - $40

Event registration  closes 30 minutes before the webinar starts.

About the Speaker

Nishant Garg
Associate Professor - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Nishant Garg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining Illinois in 2018, he completed his postdoctoral research at Princeton University from 2016 to 2018 and earned his Ph.D. in Nanoscience from Aarhus University, Denmark, in 2015.

At Illinois, his research group focuses on the chemistry of construction materials using advanced characterization techniques. He has pioneered novel methods that accelerate and automate testing of cement-based materials, reducing test durations from several days to a few minutes.

His research efforts have been recognized by numerous awards, including the 2021 ‘Stephen Brunauer Award’ and 2025 ‘Early Career Award’ from the American Ceramic Society, and the 2025 ‘Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research’ at Illinois.