American Concrete Institute Honors Civil Engineering Student

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Cameron Murray presents his research findings to the Arkansas chapter of the American Concrete Institute

In January, Cameron Murray, a master’s student in the department of civil engineering, presented his research at the annual meeting of the Arkansas chapter of the American Concrete Institute. The chapter recently held a student paper competition for current projects related to the concrete industry. Murray was selected by the chapter from entries that included civil engineering students from across the state. He received a $500 prize.

As a graduate student, Murray conducts research in the field of concrete. He is looking at ways to prevent alkali silica reactions (ASR), which can damage concrete. Specifically, Murray is looking at concrete columns in a food production facility. The soap used to clean the columns contains alkali, which mixes with the silica in the concrete to form a gel. This gel absorbs water and expands, which then causes the concrete to crack. Murray is studying the use of silane vapor barriers to treat the problem, and he is monitoring the columns and looking for ways to prevent this issue in the future.

Murray will also present his research results at the Corvallis Workshops at the University of Oregon in July.

“I’d like to thank the Arkansas chapter for honoring Cameron with this award,” said Micah Hale, professor of civil engineering and Murray’s adviser. “His work has a direct impact on the state, where ASR is a rare but growing problem, and this recognition from the American Concrete Institute will help publicize the great work that our students are doing to protect our infrastructure.”

Richard Deschenes, a civil engineering master’s student, who spoke to the group last year, also attended this year’s meeting to give an update on his research project, treating ASR damage on I-540. Kaisha Plambeck, a senior civil engineering student, gave the group an update on the student chapter of the American Concrete Institute.