LIMES.NET: Network for Low Impact Materials and innovative Engineering Solutions for the built environment

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial)
Not Energy Related

Basic and strategic applied research

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Technology acceptance)
Other (Energy technology information dissemination)

Professor PJ Walker
Architecture and Civil Engineering
University of Bath

Standard

EPSRC

01 September 2011

30 September 2012

13 months

£224,929

Civil eng. & built environment

South West

NC : Engineering

Professor PJ Walker, Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath

Professor T Ibell, Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath

Project Contact, CIRIA
Project Contact, White Design Associates Ltd
Project Contact, Ramboll UK Ltd
Project Contact, Hoare Lea and Partners
Project Contact, Modern Built Environment
Project Contact, Mott Macdonald UK Ltd
Project Contact, Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd
Project Contact, Buro Happold Ltd
Project Contact, Gifford and Partners
Project Contact, Forestry Commission Research Agency
Project Contact, Parsons Brinckerhoff
Project Contact, Laing Traditional Masonry Ltd
Project Contact, NHBC National House-Building Council
Project Contact, Costain Ltd
Project Contact, Fielden Clegg Bradley
Project Contact, Kier Eastern
Project Contact, Halcrow Group Ltd
Project Contact, Kraft Architecture
Project Contact, Rolatube Technology Ltd
Project Contact, TRL
Project Contact, Davis Langdon and Seah International
Project Contact, Composites Evolution Ltd
Project Contact, Lime Technology Ltd
Project Contact, Integral Engineering Design
Project Contact, Deloitte LLP
Project Contact, Network Rail Ltd
Project Contact, Jane Wernick Associates
Project Contact, Devon County Council
Project Contact, Lhoist UK
Project Contact, HR Wallingford
Project Contact, Scott Wilson Consultancy
Project Contact, Singleton Birch
Project Contact, Ibstock Brick Ltd
Project Contact, InCrops Project
Project Contact, Great Zimbabwe University
Project Contact, Building Research Establishment (BRE) Limited

The increasing demand for low and zero carbon buildings in the UK has provided significant challenges for the energy intensive materials we currently rely on. At present somewhere between 20% and as much as 60% of the carbon footprint of new buildings is attributable to the materials used in construction; this is predicted to rise to over 95% by 2020. If the UK is to meet agreed 80% carbon reduction targets by 2050 it is clear that significant reductions in the embodied carbon of construction materials is required. What also seems clear is that current materials and systems are not capable of delivering these savings. The drive for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions, a decreasing reliance on non-renewal resources and for greater resource efficiency, requires step changes in attitude and approach as well as materials. Improvement in construction systems, capable of providing consistently enhanced levels of performance at a reasonable cost is required.Modern developments in construction materials include: eco-cements and concretes (low carbon binders); various bio-based materials including engineered timber, hemp-lime and insulation products; straw based products; high strength bio-composites; unfired clay products utilising organic stabilisers; environmentally responsive cladding materials; self healing materials; smart materials and proactive monitoring; hygrothermal and phase change materials; coatings for infection control; ultra thin thermally efficient coatings (using nano fillers); ultra high performance concretes; greater use of wastes; and, fibre reinforcement of soils. However, very few of these innovations make the break through to widespread mainstream use and even fewer offer the necessary step change in carbon reductions requiredA low carbon approach also requires novel solutions to address: whole life costing; end of life (disassembly and reuse); greater use of prefabrication; better life predictions and longer design life; lower waste; improved quality; planned renewal; and greater automation in the construction process. As well as performance, risk from uncertainty and potentially higher costs other important barriers to innovation include: lack of information/demo projects; changing site practices and opposition from commercial competitors offering potentially cheaper solutions..A recent EPSRC Review has recognised the need for greater innovation in novel materials and novel uses of materials in the built environment. The vision for our network, LIMES.NET, is to create an international multi-disciplinary community of leading researchers, industrialists, policy makers and other stakeholders who share a common vision for the development and adoption of innovative low impact materials and solutions to deliver a more sustainable built environment in the 21st Century. The scope of LIMES.NET will include: adaptive and durable materials and solutions with significantly reduced embodied carbon and energy, based uponsustainable and appropriate use of resources; solutions for retrofitting applications to reduce performance carbon emissions of existing buildings and to minimise waste; climate change resilient and adaptive materials and technologies for retrofitting and new build applications to provide long term sustainable solutions. In recognition of their current adverse impacts and potential for future beneficial impacts, LIMES.NET will focus on bringing together experts to develop pathways to solutions using: renewable (timber and other plant based) construction materials; low-impact geo-based structural materials; cement and concrete based materials; innovative nano-materials and fibre reinforced composites. Through workshops and international visits the network will create a roadmap for multidisciplinary research and development pathways that will lead to high quality large research proposals, and an on-going virtual on-line centre of excellence

02/12/11