UEL helps reduce carbon impact of concrete

The University of East London (UEL) is collaborating with a leading concrete manufacturer to develop more sustainable pre-cast wall systems, aiming to cut the carbon toll of the construction industry.

Researchers and students from the structural engineering programme will work with JP Concrete on computer simulations to examine innovative new products in an attempt to reduce their impact on the environment.

After water, concrete is the most widely used substance on the planet but its manufacture is a major carbon dioxide emitter, globally rivalling the output of large countries and producing up to 8% of the world's greenhouse gases.

The construction industry has set itself the challenge of dramatically reducing its carbon footprint in line with international targets, including a commitment in the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions from cement production by at least 16% by 2030.

Pre-cast concrete has the advantage of enhancing quality and reducing construction time, which results in significant economic and environmental benefits.

The current research collaboration projects are focused on developing sustainable and resilient pre-cast retaining wall systems. UEL researchers and students are part of the design team and have been developing a comprehensive study on retaining wall systems, best practice guides and estimates of embodied carbon values.