Summary
This project will characterise the life-cycle performance of low-carbon concrete structural systems with various forms for optimal life-cycle costs and embodied carbon. Concrete is the most used construction materials with the global consumption of around 30 billion tonne per year. The concrete materials are made from cement as the binder and the cement production leads to significant CO2 emission and energy consumption, resulting in high embodied carbon of the concrete structural systems.
To decarbonise the structures for the net-zero target, this project will look at the use of low-carbon concrete generated by replacing cement with the eco-friendly binder made from wastes (e.g. plastic and agricultural wastes) or industry by-products such as GGBS and calcined clay. Research will be performed to experimentally characterise the properties of concrete made with different wastes for the mix design optimisation. The performance of the structures made with concrete using the optimal mix proportions will then be investigated considering typical service loading conditions that represent the realistic application conditions. The life-cycle embodied carbon and costs of the structural systems will also be evaluated numerically. The research outcomes will allow for the generation of concrete structural designs for lower carbon footprint and optimal life-cycle costs.
For the project, you are expected to have good knowledge in Civil/Structural Engineering, be open to experimental and numerical studies and interested in research on low-carbon construction materials and life-cycle sustainability of infrastructures.
