This Fresh Concrete event features innovations in the process of making concrete that can dramatically improve the resource efficiency, quality and performance of concrete, as well as reduce embodied carbon. It includes Digitised concrete - intelligent, in-transit, real time concrete management and Graphene-enhanced concrete to achieve stronger, more durable concrete that can avoid the need for reinforcement. Both innovations are already being trialled in projects around the UK and each presentation will provide more details including the principles and benefits of the new technology, as well as its future potential.
Speaker 1 – Graphene-enhanced concrete
Alex McDermott - Co-founder, Nationwide Engineering
Concrete incorporating graphene has been shown to have enhanced durability, improved early tensile and flexural strength and rapid early progressive strength.
Recent projects have also demonstrated both programme and embodied carbon savings using thinner ground-bearing slabs without the need for reinforcement or shrinkage joints. This presentation describes the benefits and deployment of this new form of concrete using the graphene-enhanced liquid admixture Concretene.
Speaker 2 – Digitised Concrete
Phillip White – Founder, Cloud Cycle
Data analytics and machine learning technology has been developed to track and monitor the movement and contents of ready-mixed concrete. Real-time data is provided to assess and enable intervention in the making and delivery of the concrete, helping to monitor its quality, reduce waste and embodied carbon.
In this presentation, Phillip explains the benefits of the new technology developed by Cloud Cycle, its use in current trials and projects in the UK including HS2, and its potential to reduce the need for slump tests.
