Work is carried out in this area, from both a scientific and technological point of view, on materials that are inorganic and mineral in nature, which when suitably treated and correctly mixed with water form pastes that set and harden.

The scientific study of hydraulic binders deals with reactions involved both in synthesis and setting processes and in processes that are susceptible to occur due to internal and external factors of the material (degradations, pathologies and many others). On the other hand, the technological study deals with the mechanical and physical properties capable of developing new materials.

The main objectives of this area are:

Assessment and improvement of uses obtained for existing hydraulic binders.
Development of more sustainable and longer-lasting hydraulic binders.

Lines of research

APPLICATION OF NEW MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY PROCESSES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE AND LONG-LASTING AGGLOMERANTS:
A reduction in the environmental impact is based on the study of the possibility of re-using industrial wastes by using them in the manufacture of new materials, such as the manufacture of new cementing materials using less contaminating processes.

At the same time, the line of research is subdivided in:

Novel tendencies in cementing materials: Alkaline activation of wastes. Application and development of novel hydraulic binders via alkaline activation of industrial waste or mixtures of wastes.

Conventional concretes having low or zero cement content
Development of this line provides new technological possibilities for developing structural and non-structural construction elements, which are more ecological and sustainable.

Special self-compacting concretes
Improvements made with the introduction of these Concretes can be considered in terms of productivity, an enhanced atmosphere in the work place and in the end quality of the structures. In the field of construction materials, this means that this material may be considered as one of the most important leaps in concrete technology in the last few decades and is, according to the scientific and technological community, shaping up as the concrete of the future

Aggregates recycled from construction and demolition wastes for use in mortars and Concretes
The main aim is to increase the recycling of C&D wastes by studying new applications related to their use as aggregates in mortars and concretes.

Development of high performance cementing materials for extreme conditions of high temperature
Fire resistance of a construction element is measured by the minutes during which the element is capable of maintaining a series of characteristics. This would, in the event of fire, hinder the interior and exterior spreading of the fire and improve the structural behaviour of the building.

APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY AS A MODIFIER OF BINDERS DERIVED FROM CEMENT AND ITS PRODUCTION PROCESSES:
This enables more advanced, sustainable materials having novel functions to be obtained.

TECHNOLOGOCIAL SIMULATION OF HYDRAULIC BINDERS FOR THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MATERIALS:
The main objective is the use of virtual laboratories or simulation tools in the field of construction materials, which are available and being developed by international research centres.

This area will not carry out any activity that could lead to a conflict of interests with the Institute’s work as a Control Body, with regard to the products assessed, in accordance with ENAC requirements laid out in PE-ENAC-OC/01.