CTIL Team Wins Cement & Concrete Research First Prize: Best Student Paper at the 43rd Annual Cement and Concrete Science Conference

Assistant Professor Zhao Mingshan, along with project team members Ms Jamie Chong and Mr Chua Guan Feng, represented the Construction Technology Innovation Laboratory (CTIL) at the 43rd Annual Cement and Concrete Science Conference, held at Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom, from 9 to 11 September 2024.

The team presented two research papers, both part of the applied research project, ‘Waste Valorisation in Concrete Production via CO2 Sequestration’. These papers focused on enhancing the strength and durability of concrete in its early stages through aqueous carbon sequestration, and making hybrid cement easier to work with by mixing it with carbonated water.

Group photo of the research team. (From left) Asst. Prof. Zhao Mingshan, Project PI, SIT; Mr Chua Guan Feng, Research Engineer, SIT; Ms Jamie Chong, Research Engineer, SIT; and collaborators from Cardiff University: Dr Jin Fei, Ms Mu Xinli, and Dr Xu Yaowen. (Photo: CTIL)

The conference brought together experts from industry and academia to discuss the latest advancements in cement and concrete science. It served as an important platform for emerging researchers to present their work and network with established professionals in the field. 

Among the submissions, Jamie’s paper entitled, "Enhancing Concrete Early Strength and Durability by Aqueous Carbon Sequestration Approach", won the Cement & Concrete Research First Prize for Best Student Paper at the conference. Her research examined the performance of low-carbon ready-mix concrete (RMC) mixtures using Portland cement (PC) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as binders, with carbonated water used in the mixing process.  

The study revealed that while carbonated mixing water significantly reduced the workability and compressive strength of the concrete at 3, 7, and 28 days, the innovative use of high-mortar recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as a replacement for traditional granite aggregates markedly improved both workability and long-term strength. This improvement was attributed to the RCA providing an additional source of alkalinity and lubrication.

Mr. Neil Cooke, Chairman, of The Concrete Society Northern Ireland Region, presented the award for Best Student Paper to Ms Jamie Chong, Research Engineer, SIT. (Photo:  Dr Xu Yaowen, Cardiff University)

The novel concrete mixtures developed through this research demonstrated mechanical and workability comparable to conventional RMC formulations, while incorporating large volumes of waste materials. This resulted in a significantly reduced carbon footprint, offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional concrete. 

This achievement not only highlights the pioneering work of the CTIL team but also underscores their ongoing contributions to advancing sustainable construction technologies. Their research is paving the way for innovative methods to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production, aligning with the global push for greener, more efficient construction practices.