This January, I had the opportunity to attend the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 105th Annual Meeting, an energizing and inspiring gathering of transportation professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from across the world. TRB continues to be one of the most valuable forums for sharing emerging research, discussing best practices, and strengthening the connections that drive innovation in our industry.
On day one, I attended the Concrete Pavement Design and Construction Committee meeting, where discussions centered on best practices for concrete pavement design and construction, as well as the evolving impact of blended cements on paving performance. These conversations reinforced the importance of aligning design approaches, materials science, and construction practices to achieve durable, cost-effective, and sustainable concrete pavements.
The following day, the Committee hosted a session on the Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM) of Concrete Initiative, featuring research from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The presentation focused on optimizing concrete mixture gradation by introducing a third aggregate, resulting in approximately a 10% reduction in cementitious material and a 2–3% reduction in paste volume. These improvements translate into meaningful cost savings, enhanced durability, better workability, and more efficient use of resources – an encouraging step toward performance-driven and sustainability-focused mix design.
A standout presentation from Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (FHWA) explored Type IL cements. Key findings indicated that cement reactivity correlated more strongly with chemical characteristics than physical properties, and that Type IL cement performance was relatively consistent batch-to-batch within producers. However, the research also revealed notable variation in limestone content and measured CaCO₃ across Type IL cements nationwide. Recommendations emphasized the importance of trial batching using project-specific materials, along with mockups or monitoring technologies to determine optimal placement and finishing timing. As always, clear communication among suppliers, engineers, and contractors remains essential when product characteristics change and could influence concrete behavior.
CCT-sponsored research was also highlighted during the meeting. Ben Reese of Raba Kistner presented a poster on Treating Highly Plastic Clays with Cement, a project funded by the Cement Council of Texas. The research challenges conservative specifications that limit cement treatment for high plasticity soils, demonstrating that high-PI clays can be successfully treated with cement, and that Type IL cement performs comparably to Type I/II. Findings also suggest that cement–lime combinations may yield optimal performance for higher PI soils, improving strength while reducing swell and plasticity. The work underscores the value of performance-based specifications, site-specific testing, and improved education for owners, engineers, and contractors.
I was also encouraged to see UTEP student Lekshmi Jayakumar Subha present research on the Feasibility of Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to Monitor Strength Development in Cement-Stabilized Geomaterials. This project builds on prior CCT-funded work on Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) with cement and highlights the potential of EIS testing on small specimens as a promising tool for monitoring strength gain in stabilized materials.
Beyond the technical sessions, TRB remains one of my favorite venues to reconnect with colleagues, mentors, and friends across the transportation and concrete communities. The exchange of ideas, lessons learned, and real-world experiences continues to inspire progress in our field.
Overall, it was a fantastic conference—full of meaningful conversations, cutting-edge research, and renewed motivation to continue advancing durable, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.