Project Info
Durability of Past, Present, and Future Concrete Formulations in Coastal Environments
Xiaolei Guo
xiaolei.guo@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
Coastal infrastructure faces escalating risks from climate-driven sea-level rise and more frequent flooding, challenging the longevity of conventional building materials. Ensuring the durability of concrete under these harsh, cyclic exposure conditions is essential for resilient, sustainable design. The goal of this project is to evaluate the corrosion resistance of both historical and modern concrete mixtures, including those formulated with ordinary Portland cement and emerging next-generation binders, under laboratory-simulated coastal environments that replicate rising seas and recurrent inundation.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Restore and improve urban infrastructure.
Primary Contacts:
Xiaolei Guo, xiaolei.guo@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Self-motivated with strong interests in material science and corrosion.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
10
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Students will gain hands-on experience in concrete mix design, accelerated corrosion testing, data analysis, and scientific communication as they design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments in a collaborative research setting. They will also develop professional competencies in project management, teamwork, and networking through regular mentorship, presentations, and engagement with real-world infrastructure resilience challenges.
MENTORING PLAN
I will begin with a comprehensive orientation covering lab safety, project goals, and key techniques. I will then meet one-on-one weekly to set milestones, troubleshoot experiments, and review data. As their skills grow, I’ll integrate them into group meetings, assign increasing responsibility, provide regular written and oral feedback, and coach them on presenting results at seminars or conferences.
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior
Senior