Concrete Technology

The Concrete Technology Research Team at University of Galway are investigating alternative materials that are sourced locally and are a waste or by-product of another industry that could be used to replace or reduce the amount of OPC in concrete and other products requiring cementitious binders. The Research Team is developing a framework and software tool to quantify the EE/EC of products and services in an Irish context using a hybrid Input-Output (I-O) methodology. An initial study applies the framework to cement, which is a material high in EE/EC and consequently a material included in the European Union-Emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS). 

Other research projects being undertaken by the Concrete Technology Research Team at University of Galway are given in the research section. These range from embedded sensors installed to continuously monitor strains and temperature changes in a novel form of flat-slab system used in the new engineering building at University of Galway to the development of cost-effective sustainable construction technologies, such as stabilised soil blocks.