Seminar "Towards Sustainability in Construction with Concrete" by Dr. Ravindra Gettu

[Speaker]

Dr. Ravindra Gettu, VS Raju Institute Chair Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India

[Abstract]

Construction is most parts of the world is an important activity that provides infrastructure and housing, jobs and economical advantages. In emerging economies, construction is all the more important as there is a large deficit in the facilities and housing units required for the growing population. However, this requires major resources in terms of raw materials and energy, and results in carbon emissions, debris generation and contamination to some extent. In the presentation, different aspects of construction with concrete will be discussed in the point of view of sustainability. One topic that will be explored is the use of new types of cements and their advantages. It is seen that use of wastes in cement can lead to lower carbon footprint and embodied energy, without any loss in mechanical integrity or durability. Another aspect discussed will be the recycling of demolished waste concrete in new construction. A novel use of concentrated solar energy for breaking up old concrete will be presented. A third topic will be on the potential of textile reinforced concrete, which is a composite of cement-based matrix embedded with glass textiles, where the mechanics and durability are being studied so that this technology can be mainstreamed in construction.

[Zoom link]

https://oist.zoom.us/j/95550618745?pwd=SUROek9PSWxUOFI5M0VONEFkNGJMdz09

Meeting ID: 955 5061 8745
Passcode: 605787