Tailored Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure
Abstract
Concrete is the most widely used material in the world. Cement, the key constituent of concrete, is responsible for about 7-8% of global carbon emissions related to human activities. The concept of tailored reinforced concrete infrastructure represents a promising approach to target specific performance objectives while employing less cement. In tailored, or functionally graded, concrete the material composition is graded through a structural element. Hence material with a high cement content is used rationally only when it contributes significantly to the overall performance of the structure. The resulting reductions in carbon emissions will be discussed in conjunction with research findings on the fresh and hardened state properties of tailored concrete structures. Two particular levers, namely: judicious material choices that reduce the overall cement content and the minimisation of the structural volume, are also discussed.
Short bio
Janet Lees is Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She leads the Concrete Infrastructure Research Group within the Civil Engineering Division at Cambridge. The main interests of her research group relate to the development of more sustainable reinforced concrete infrastructure. Ongoing project areas include the strength assessment of existing infrastructure, tailored reinforced concrete infrastructure and accelerating the uptake of concretes with lower embodied carbon. She is a Director of Cambridge’s EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE2 and FIBE3). She was awarded an EPSRC Established Career Fellowship in 2017.
Concrete is the most widely used material in the world. Cement, the key constituent of concrete, is responsible for about 7-8% of global carbon emissions related to human activities. The concept of tailored reinforced concrete infrastructure represents a promising approach to target specific performance objectives while employing less cement. In tailored, or functionally graded, concrete the material composition is graded through a structural element. Hence material with a high cement content is used rationally only when it contributes significantly to the overall performance of the structure. The resulting reductions in carbon emissions will be discussed in conjunction with research findings on the fresh and hardened state properties of tailored concrete structures. Two particular levers, namely: judicious material choices that reduce the overall cement content and the minimisation of the structural volume, are also discussed.
Short bio
Janet Lees is Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She leads the Concrete Infrastructure Research Group within the Civil Engineering Division at Cambridge. The main interests of her research group relate to the development of more sustainable reinforced concrete infrastructure. Ongoing project areas include the strength assessment of existing infrastructure, tailored reinforced concrete infrastructure and accelerating the uptake of concretes with lower embodied carbon. She is a Director of Cambridge’s EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE2 and FIBE3). She was awarded an EPSRC Established Career Fellowship in 2017.
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Prof. Dimitrios Lignos
Contact
- Prof. Dimitrios Lignos