A feasibility study into ultra-low carbon bricks utilising local construction waste for coastal infrastructure
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Abstract
As agreed with AHRC please see the Case for Support attachment for the full application information
Publications
Shanks B
(2024)
Carbon capture and storage in low-carbon concrete using products derived from olivine.
in Royal Society open science
Shanks B
(2024)
Production of low-carbon amorphous SiO2 for use as a supplementary cementitious material and nesquehonite from olivine
in Materials Letters
| Description | Key achievements as a result of the work funded through this award are: • Full characterisation of the magnesium carbonate binder, waste aggregates, and brick compressive strength testing completed. • Full-size prototype low-carbon magnesium carbonate bricks containing waste materials produced, tested, and showcased for the first time. • Additional testing regime designed to determine standards compliance of the bricks. • Effective partnerships developed within the collaboration to continue beyond the project. • Kick-started knowledge dissemination evenings open to architects, materials experts, engineers, researchers, and students. |
| Exploitation Route | The developed low-carbon magnesium carbonate bricks containing local waste materials can be used to replace high carbon-intensive bricks currently in use, ultimately contributing to material circularity, decarbonisation and sustainability of our built environment. |
| Sectors | Construction |
| URL | https://www.seratechcement.com/press-release-seratech-makes-carbon-neutral-brick-prototype-from-co2-emissions |
| Description | The research has led to full-size prototype low-carbon magnesium carbonate bricks containing waste materials produced, tested, and showcased for the first time. The innovation will be developed further and commercialised by Imperial College spinout Seratech Ltd. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Construction |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Training postgraduate students/researchers |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate-taught/advanced-materials-sustainable-infrastr... |
| Description | Carbon sequestration in the built environment |
| Amount | £986,176 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Title | Magnesium carbonate binder and bricks |
| Description | Dataset containing the characteristics of the magnesium carbonate binder and compressive strength performance of low-carbon bricks derived from it, with an asasessment of compatibility with a range of waste aggregates. These include construction and demolition waste, oyster shells, stone dust and seaweed starch. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The dataset is used to inform further research and development into a commercially viable product. |
| Description | Low Carbon Waste Brick Development |
| Organisation | AKT II Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | - Expertise in development and use of cementitious binders - Expertise in materials testing - Access to testing equipment - Access to data of low carbon binder development and performance |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Expertise in waste streams for use as aggregate (LWS) - Expertise in use of new materials in buildings and regulatory landscape surrounding this (AKT II) - Expertise in building material testing (AKT II) - Expertise in architectural and client opinion of novel low carbon building materials (CG) - Expertise in developing a brick utilising waste materials as aggregate (CG) - Organisation and client/colleague basis for frequent knowledge dissemination events (CG) |
| Impact | - Production of a prototype of a pressed brick, using waste materials as aggregates - Three knowledge dissemination events hosted by CG - (In progress) Report detailing research and progression of research over whole partnership |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Title | Pressed Low Carbon Waste Aggregate Brick |
| Description | Brick consisting only of a magnesium carbonate binder, graded construction waste materials as aggregates and water. This is specifically produced through pressing the wet mix of ingredients to form the correct shape. |
| Type Of Technology | New Material/Compound |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | The production of a prototype gives assurance and confidence in the use of a magnesium carbonate binder to produce low carbon construction materials. |
| Description | Carbon-neutral prototype brick |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release on the low-carbob magnesium carbonate brick prototype developed, which led to further publicity in various other media outlets. https://www.seratechcement.com/seratech-hits-the-headlines-with-magnesium-carbonate-brick |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.seratechcement.com/press-release-seratech-makes-carbon-neutral-brick-prototype-from-co2-... |
| Description | EcoCity World Summit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Prototype low-carbon magnesium carbonate bricks were exhibited to a wide audience, which generated awareness and commercial interests to the innovation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.ecocity-summit.com/ |
| Description | Futurebuild 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Prototype low-carbon magnesium carbonate bricks were exhibited to a wide audience, which generated awareness and commercial interests in the innovation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/ |
| Description | Professorial inaugural lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 300 people attended the lecture in person, and around a similar number of attendees online. The recording is available on YouTube which has been viewed >2k times. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFsHKf6eQbY&t=5s |
| Description | Talks and Discussion with Architects and Engineers surrounding Low Carbon Building Materials |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 40 architects, engineers and post graduates attended an educational evening surrounding the use of low carbon materials as binders and the use of coastal waste materials as aggregates and fibres within. This included presentations and talks, and an extended Q&A/discussion section, followed by networking. This has lead to further meetings and potential for collaboration with other architects and engineers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |