Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/J004219/1 | |
| Title | LIMES.NET: Network for Low Impact Materials and innovative Engineering Solutions for the built environment | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial) 50%; Not Energy Related 50%; |
|
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions) 25%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation) 25%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour) 12%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Technology acceptance) 13%; Other (Energy technology information dissemination) 25%; |
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| Principal Investigator |
Professor PJ Walker No email address given Architecture and Civil Engineering University of Bath |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2011 | |
| End Date | 30 September 2012 | |
| Duration | 13 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £224,929 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Construction | |
| Region | South West | |
| Programme | NC : Engineering | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Professor PJ Walker , Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Professor T Ibell , Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath (0.001%) |
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| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , Ramboll UK Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Building Research Establishment (BRE) Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Hoare Lea and Partners (0.000%) Project Contact , Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Scott Wilson Consultancy (0.000%) Project Contact , CIRIA (0.000%) Project Contact , Buro Happold Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Network Rail Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Mott Macdonald UK Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Davis Langdon and Seah International (0.000%) Project Contact , Halcrow Group Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Fielden Clegg Bradley (0.000%) Project Contact , Forestry Commission Research Agency (0.000%) Project Contact , Parsons Brinckerhoff (0.000%) Project Contact , Modern Built Environment (0.000%) Project Contact , White Design Associates Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Costain Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Lime Technology Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Ibstock Brick Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Lhoist UK (0.000%) Project Contact , Integral Engineering Design (0.000%) Project Contact , Jane Wernick Associates (0.000%) Project Contact , Kier Eastern (0.000%) Project Contact , Kraft Architecture (0.000%) Project Contact , Laing Traditional Masonry Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , NHBC National House-Building Council (0.000%) Project Contact , Composites Evolution Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Deloitte LLP (0.000%) Project Contact , Devon County Council (0.000%) Project Contact , Gifford and Partners (0.000%) Project Contact , Rolatube Technology Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Singleton Birch (0.000%) Project Contact , InCrops Project (0.000%) Project Contact , TRL (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | 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 | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 02/12/11 | |
