The Slag Cement Association (SCA) announced Chibueze Sylvester Ajuonuma and his research project, “Practical implementation of Internally Cured Slag Cement Concrete Using Superabsorbent Polymers,” as a winner of its 2024 Slag Cement in Sustainable Concrete Awards. The winning projects were unveiled and celebrated on April 2, 2025, during the spring ACI Concrete Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Fourteen construction projects from across the United States and Canada were chosen to showcase the broad applications of slag cement and its impact on creating more durable and resilient concrete. These construction projects were awarded in six categories. The categories include infrastructure, high performance, architectural, durability, innovative applications, and lower carbon concrete. Two slag cement research projects were also honored in this year’s program.

Chibueze Ajuonuma is a PhD student in the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Purdue University, working under the guidance of Prof. Jan Olek and Prof. Kendra Erk (Material Engineering). Chibueze's research aims to evaluate the performance of innovative concrete mixes in real-world applications and underscores the practical benefits of internally cured slag cement concrete, offering a sustainable, durable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional cementitious materials for modern infrastructure. The project is sponsored by the Joint Transportation Research Program.

His research project investigated the practical implementation of internally cured slag cement concrete using superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to enhance hydration, mitigate shrinkage, and improve long-term performance. The focus is on addressing challenges associated with slag cement’s slower hydration and shrinkage tendencies, which can affect strength development and durability in conventional applications. The significance of the study lies in its potential to revolutionize slag cement usage by demonstrating its feasibility for high-performance and sustainable construction. The study highlights that incorporating SAPs into slag-cement concrete improves its workability, sustains hydration, and enhances durability.

Source: Slag Cement Association