Document Type
Honors Thesis
Major
Civil Engineering
Advisor(s)
Eric Landis
Committee Members
Ling Li, Reed Miller, Linfei Li
Graduation Year
May 2025
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Concrete production contributes significantly to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, prompting a need for more sustainable construction materials. Simultaneously, high-performance concretes are prone to autogenous shrinkage due to their low water-to-cement (w/c) ratios. This creates a risk of cracking and reduces durability. This study investigates the use of biochar—a carbon-rich byproduct of biomass pyrolysis—as a sustainable internal curing agent which can reduce autogenous shrinkage of cement pastes. To test this theory, cement pastes with varying amounts of presaturated biochar (0, 1, 3, 5, and 8% by weight of cement) were prepared. Autogenous deformation was measured over seven days to determine the shrinkage strain. Results show that adding presaturated biochar can decrease autogenous shrinkage of the cement paste up to 64%. These findings support the potential of biochar as an internal curing agent that also contributes to carbon sequestration and sustainability in the construction industry.
Recommended Citation
Noble, Madeline, "Biochar in Concrete: A Sustainable Internal Curing Agent for Reducing Autogenous Shrinkage" (2025). Honors College. 944.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/944