SPbGASU Postgraduate Student Develops New Kind of Fiber Concrete

Historical centre and new developments of Saint Petersburg fit harmoniously – for the sake of the style and beauty hard work and top quality construction materials are needed.

Aida Akhmedishina, postgraduate student at the Department of Technology of Construction Materials and Metrology, works on a high quality construction material

Aida Akhmedishina: ‘My paper is provisionally titled Top Quality Concrete for Historic Building Restoration and Repair. I had a task from Yury Pukharenko, my scientific supervisor and Head of the Department of Technology of Construction Materials and Metrology, to study fiber concrete and make it visually attractive, so I chose cellulose fiber as my subject of research. This material is a novelty for Russia although it is available, cheap, and environmentally friendly. My plans are to create a new kind of fiber concrete.

What differs such fiber concrete from other materials?

It will accelerate and simplify construction and also be useful in restoration.

Fiber concrete decorative and finishing materials will have a wide colour range. More than that, interaction between architects and restorers is essential because construction materials have a great influence on architectural solutions.

In what phase is your research now?

I have already studied the material. I am systemizing it now because there is a plenty of decorative and finishing materials but a little is written in basic textbooks and the information on them is quite separated. The next phase is to study the material itself: evaluation of fibre amount for cross-breaking strength, frost tolerance, low water absorbtion. Much effort has to be done for material improvement and putting together all the studies.

Why have you chosen this topic?

During my Bachelor’s degree study I have developed lightweight fibre concrete for low-rise buildings using pre-school educational institution at Savushkina street as an example. I was awarded a Prize of the Government of Saint Petersburg in 2016 with this work. My Master’s degree final project was devoted to decorative and finishing materials and I continue the research being a postgraduate student. My aim is to beautify Saint Petersburg and conserve its historical look.

What advice would you give to undergraduate students?

Start your scientific research at the third year. Be active and do not hesitate to tell your ideas to the academic staff – they will appreciate it and help you in a desired direction.

Interviewed by Tatiana Pertova

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