5 July 2012
'Concrete in the low carbon era' - international conference July 9th to 11th
Photo opportunity - 10.30am, Monday July 9th,
Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee
The importance of concrete in delivering sustainable building solutions in the 'low carbon era' will be discussed by experts from all over the world when they gather in Dundee next week.
The 8th International Conference hosted by the Concrete Technology Unit at the University of Dundee - organised this year in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research - will host 180 delegates from over 40 countries.
The conference runs from July 9th to 11th and will cover various themes including;
- Low Carbon Design of Structures and Buildings
- Efficient and Sustainable use of Resources
- Infrastructure and Transportation Construction and Resilience
- Renewable Energy.
Concrete is now used more than any other man-made material in the world. Around 8 billion cubic metres of concrete are made each year and its use is increasing annually, as new world economies further develop.
The world record for the largest concrete pour in a single project is the Three Gorges Dam in China by the Three Gorges Corporation. The amount of concrete used in the construction of the dam is estimated at 16 million cubic metres over 17 years.
"The environmental impact of concrete is a complex issue and one that is often over simplified - while Portland cement production is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions only a small amount is used in concrete production," said Professor Rod Jones from the University of Dundee, who is chairing the conference.
"Furthermore, recycling of concrete is increasingly common in structures that have reached the end of their life. Concrete has a high thermal mass and is ideal for building energy efficient housing in both hot and cold countries. Energy requirements for transportation of concrete are low as tends to produced locally from local resources to site. Relatively little energy is required to producing and combining the raw materials and overall the embodied energy of concrete is lower than for similar structural materials."
"Within the themes of the event, the issues of production, use, design, longevity and sustainability will be addressed. In this regard we all have to find an acceptable balance if not a solution. There would seem to be little doubt that carbon-based economies and infrastructure-driven activities will have to increasingly address these."
The University of Dundee's Concrete Technology Unit has played an important role in exchange of information and professional interaction between all involved in concrete whatever the disciplines. Next week's conference provides an opportunity to consolidate progress and to discuss options and experience.
The conference takes place in the Dalhousie Building at the University of Dundee from July 9th to 11th.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Concrete Technology Unit (CTU), within the Division of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee was established in 1989 to consolidate the long established research base and to integrate it with the developing areas of continuing education, postgraduate training and consultancy. The CTU has a mission to carry out research and development and disseminate the information widely and has won nearly £5m funding in six specific areas namely:
- Cement Science and Technology
- Concrete Durability
- Sustainable Concrete Construction and Recycling/Reuse of Materials
- Repair Technology and Structural Rehabilitation
- Innovation in Concrete Construction Applications
- Whole Life Analytical Methods and Maintenance Strategies
Through close collaboration with over 75 industrial organisations, it has since gained an international reputation as a centre of excellence.
The CTU has, over the years, worked closely and formed valuable partnerships with industrial organisations. In addition, it enjoys excellent relations with some of the other universities and organisations engaged in research and development work both nationally and from countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, and USA.
The CTU has been at the forefront of the UK's research into concrete science, technology and sustainable construction and has won over £3 million of project funding in the use of recycled materials.
For further information see: www.dundee.ac.uk/civileng/research/concrete.
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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