LOW CARBON BUILDING TECHNOLOGY for presentation

presentation

1. Living in a material world : Low Carbon Building Materials Technologies Tania Urmee Professor Engineering and Energy

2. Why Low Carbon Materials Important? Role in Achieving Sustainability Goals 40% of GHG emissions come from Building Source: Buildings & Construction share of energy related CO2 emissions,2020 Share of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

3. Innovations in Concrete and Steel Carbon Cure Technologies and the Injection of CO2 Recycled Steel and Low-Carbon Concrete

4. Low Carbon Building Materials Recycled Materials: Materials like recycled steel, glass, and plastic contribute to circular economy principles. Low-Carbon Bricks: Low-carbon bricks utilise innovative production techniques and alternative materials such as using fly ash – fine glass powder made primarily of iron, silica, and alumina to minimise carbon emissions. Green Tiles: Green tiles refer to roofing or wall tiles produced with environmentally friendly materials and processes. These tiles are designed to have a low carbon footprint, typically utilising recycled content or sustainable materials in their production Green Concrete: Innovations in concrete production, such as using supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash and slag, aim to reduce the carbon intensity of concrete, a traditionally high-emission material.

5. Carbon Sink Building Materials Timber and Bamboo: Renowned for their carbon sequestration capabilities, timber and bamboo act as natural carbon sinks, locking away carbon dioxide absorbed during their growth. Biobased Materials: Derived from renewable resources such as agricultural by-products and plant fibres, biobased materials like straw bales and cork have the potential to sequester carbon and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

6. Wood and Composite Alternatives Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) from Locally Sourced Wood

7. Cement and Concrete Alternative Material alternative Drawbacks Benefits Recycled concrete Low comprehensive strength, high water absorptions, and contaminants affect durability Reduce waste, low carbon footprint, saving cost Fly ash Mechanical properties vary depending on coal type and require a rigour quality control Improved strength from pozzolanic reaction, increase durability, low carbon footprint, reduce waste Blast furnace slag Mechanical properties vary, and the supply may be limited Reduce permeability, increase durability, low carbon footprint, reduce waste Red mud Low comprehensive strength, potential health and environmental risks due to high alkaline content Improve thermal insulation properties, low carbon footprint, and reduce waste Rice husk ash Require additional processing and handling, low strength development Reduce permeability, increase durability, low carbon footprint, reduce waste Palm kernel shell Lower strength and require rigour quality control Reduce density, recycle agricultural waste Hempcrete Low compressive strength, not suitable for load-bearing structure, limited availability in some regions, growing and utilising hemp plants are prohibited in Indonesia Renewable source, biodegradable, carbon sequester, excellent thermal properties, lightweight Volcanic ash Require additional grinding or processing, qualities vary Improve long-term strength, improve durability, natural resource conservation

8. Brick and Stone Alternatives Timber the rammed earth construction technique can be utilised by compressing locally sourced soil, sand, and clay to form walls compressed earth blocks

9. Alternatives for Insulations

10. building operation and construction were responsible for 37 per cent of total global emissions in 2022 with the cement, steel, and aluminium production as well as brick and glass production used in the construction process contributing around 2.5 GtCO 2 -e (7 per cent) and 1.2 GtCO 2 -e (3 per cent) respectively

11. From structural hemp to biobased cements, designers are excited about options to reduce embodied carbon

12. Hemp insulation for sequestered carbon Sheep’s wool, a natural low carbon insulating material, is particularly good at addressing moisture. It can get wet and then dry out, and it doesn’t settle or lose its shape over time. However, there are other lower carbon content options. Cellulose fiber insulation comes from wood waste or paper waste. This, in theory, gives it the largest negative carbon footprint. It is also the cheapest and most easily blown in; but it does settle if not installed to the correct density. Hemp insulation is another negative-carbon material. You can get it in it all kinds of insulating and structural forms.

13. With mass timber, carbon-negative buildings are possible - Status: Available now The evolution of building codes allows us to use mass timber to build taller than we have previously. The key to mass timber is to harvest it sustainably

14. Mushrooms and biobased cement are part of the low-carbon building materials future (Jill Dexter) Status: Available now

15. Sustainable Sourcing of Materials Sustainable Forestry: Prioritising materials sourced from sustainably managed forests certified by reputable organisations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). This ensures that timber and other wood-based products come from forests managed with environmental, social, and economic considerations. Supply Chain Transparency: Collaborating with suppliers who prioritise transparency and accountability in their supply chains, ensuring that materials are ethically sourced and produced with minimal environmental impact. Local Sourcing: Opting for locally sourced materials whenever feasible to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy.

16. Professor Tania Urmee Discipline of Engineering and Energy Email: [email protected]