FRGeo-Crete | Natural Fibre Reinforced Crack-resistant and spalling-controlled sustainable Geopolymer Concrete

Summary
Shrinkage cracking and fire-induced concrete spalling can deteriorate the structural integrity and increase the maintenance cost of civil infrastructure. New advanced/sustainable construction materials can tackle these issues and also reduce the CO2 emissions which is an important factor in EU directives and codes of practice. The production of 1 tonne of cement requires 3-6 GJ of energy and releases approximately 0.85 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which, contributes to around 7% of the total man-made CO2 in the world. A significant amount of this CO2 can be saved by using environmentally friendly Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) made of recycled materials (such as geopolymers and recycled aggregates) and natural fibres (such as jute fibres). This proposal aims to develop: (1) an advanced understanding of the mechanisms behind the fibre-matrix compatibility in controlling cracking/spalling of concrete and (2) a novel, sustainable, cracking/spalling-controlled geopolymer natural FRC and a new technique which modifies the surface properties of natural fibres to enhance their bond with the cementitious matrix. This will enable the replacement of the currently used cement clinker and synthetic fibres with waste minerals and natural fibres, respectively, of equal or better performance, providing an annual reduction of 26 million tonnes of CO2 worldwide. The mechanisms of cracking/spalling of concrete, fibre-matrix compatibility and durability of jute FRGeo-Crete will be assessed by fibre pull-out tests along with the microstructural characterisation using SEM-EDS, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray CT scanning. The lead beneficiary (The University of Sheffield - USFD) has world-leading expertise in the field of FRC design engineering and the use of waste by-products in concrete. The fellow will also receive an extensive training programme (delivered by the USFD), which will enable him to develop his career as an independent researcher.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/838623
Start date: 01-11-2019
End date: 30-11-2021
Total budget - Public funding: 224 933,76 Euro - 224 933,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Shrinkage cracking and fire-induced concrete spalling can deteriorate the structural integrity and increase the maintenance cost of civil infrastructure. New advanced/sustainable construction materials can tackle these issues and also reduce the CO2 emissions which is an important factor in EU directives and codes of practice. The production of 1 tonne of cement requires 3-6 GJ of energy and releases approximately 0.85 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which, contributes to around 7% of the total man-made CO2 in the world. A significant amount of this CO2 can be saved by using environmentally friendly Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) made of recycled materials (such as geopolymers and recycled aggregates) and natural fibres (such as jute fibres). This proposal aims to develop: (1) an advanced understanding of the mechanisms behind the fibre-matrix compatibility in controlling cracking/spalling of concrete and (2) a novel, sustainable, cracking/spalling-controlled geopolymer natural FRC and a new technique which modifies the surface properties of natural fibres to enhance their bond with the cementitious matrix. This will enable the replacement of the currently used cement clinker and synthetic fibres with waste minerals and natural fibres, respectively, of equal or better performance, providing an annual reduction of 26 million tonnes of CO2 worldwide. The mechanisms of cracking/spalling of concrete, fibre-matrix compatibility and durability of jute FRGeo-Crete will be assessed by fibre pull-out tests along with the microstructural characterisation using SEM-EDS, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray CT scanning. The lead beneficiary (The University of Sheffield - USFD) has world-leading expertise in the field of FRC design engineering and the use of waste by-products in concrete. The fellow will also receive an extensive training programme (delivered by the USFD), which will enable him to develop his career as an independent researcher.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2018

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
MSCA-IF-2018