The Structural and Materials discipline in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is proud to be at the forefront of multidisciplinary research investigating effective solutions to the heavy construction materials industry in Australia and worldwide for lowering carbon emissions. Our research is actively engaged in overseeing solutions for industry by way of impact and change.
Research has focused on decarbonisation utilising state of art technology at UTS Tech Lab in the following key areas:
low carbon footprint structures and construction materials
smart material technologies
carbon neutrality target assessment
interpretation and carbon management strategies
Associate Professor Kirk Vessalas, the Head of Discipline says:
“Next to water, concrete represents the most widely used material in the world. Its use in construction is forecast to increase to a soaring 29.0 billion m3 by 2050. Cement used in concrete generates 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
A/Prof Vessalas highlights how the sector can contribute to a more sustainable future. "Addressing climate change, lowering the carbon footprint, and achieving Net Zero by 2050 for decarbonising the cement and concrete sector requires a transition of undertaking innovative research to make everything count towards accomplishing a sustainable built environment.
The discipline includes a team of sustainable construction materials experts comprising structural, civil, materials, chemical, sustainability, and digital engineers in overseeing the delivery of a net zero future.“
A/Prof. Kirk Vessalas curbing cement use in concrete by incorporating reactive aggregate fines as a novel binder source.
Investment by industry into this collective expertise over the past 2 years has seen the discipline grow considerably with the awarding of $6 million in research funding into 10 projects from multiple funding sources, including the Australia Research Council (ARC), SmartCrete CRC (CRC), Boral, and Transport for New South Wales.
The discipline is active in net zero emissions research which promises to deliver more sustainable concrete, including smart materials, paving the way for more robust, durable, and resilient infrastructure, and optimising digital enablement tools and whole of supply chain education.
Some of the key projects that have commenced include:
Risk-based metrics for carbon emissions for infrastructure stages and lifecycle (ARC)
Machine learning for carbon performance and socio-technical transformation (ARC)
Low carbon footprint cementitious materials from mineral carbonation (CRC)
Digital enablement of carbon management in design and construction (CRC)
The outcomes of these projects have leveraged further investment, attracted more industry partners and introduced new codes of practice, including national standards and international guidelines.
UTS Tech Lab, structural testing facility.
Some recent news stories from the discipline are below:
Digital Engineering Microcredentials pilot being lead by Associate Professor Julie Jupp.
A/Prof. Wengui Li has been researching self-healing and self-sensing concrete. Read more about this research in this Create Digital article.
PhD Student Bahar Mehdizadeh profiled by the SmartCrete CRC LinkedIn on her PhD project on the carbonation of concrete.
If you would like to more about this research or wish to explore an industry partnership with UTS please contact Associate Professor Kirk Vessalas.