Please consider attending the following: MATERIALS ENGINEERING SEMINAR "Structure-Property Relationship of Shrinkage Reducing Admixtures in Cementitious Composites and their Interactions with Superabsorbent Polymers" By Baishakhi Bose Purdue MSE Ph.D. Preliminary Exam Advisor: Professor Kendra A. Erk ABSTRACT With the advents of technology, the use of high-performance concrete (HPC) has ensured greater durability and strength of concrete infrastructures. However, HPC is susceptible to autogenous shrinkage which can lead to cracking and eventual collapse. Shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA) and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) have both been used in the past to mitigate shrinkage. However, dosing the concrete with these admixtures introduces issues related to mechanical and durability-related properties of the concrete. This proposal aims to understand the effect changing the hydrophobic or hydrophilic characteristics of surfactants on their performance as SRAs. The effect of altering the molecular structure of the surfactants on the cement hydration and durability characteristics will be studied. Also, a methodological investigation of synthesized poly (acrylic acid-acrylamide) hydrogels' interaction with the surfactants in the cementitious systems is proposed in this study. The outcomes of this study will aid in identifying the structure property relationship of model SRAs and their synergistic interactions with SAP in cementitious composites. Keywords: shrinkage reducing admixtures, superabsorbent polymers, surfactants Date: Monday, December 3, 2018 Time: 2:30 P.M.