A project by a QUT scientist to produce concrete with reduced embodied carbon and weight, and improved fire resistance, strength and insulation properties has been awarded a $1,061,000 ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship.
Associate Professor Yunfei Xi from QUT Central Analytical Research Facility (CARF) and the School of Chemistry and Physics will develop advanced concrete mix designs using superfine mineral additives suitable for use in concrete blocks, roof tiles and brick mortar.
Professor Xi said ordinary Portland cement production accounts for eight per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions which has prompted investors, customers and regulators to reduce cement use and the total embodied energy in building products.
“I will investigate use of abundant local natural resources of sand and clay, combined with waste and low-use by-products such as quarry tailings and washout fines to replace the current supplementary materials such as coal fly ash that are used to produce blended ordinary Portland cement.
“As demand for these conventional additives has increased with reduced supply, there is an urgent need to find alternative and sustainable local supplementary cement materials that maintain high performance and provide competitive supply against alternatives such as steel, polycarbonate and fibre-cement, lightweight cladding products.”
Professor Xi’s industry partners is Brickworks, one of the two largest Australian companies producing building materials.
