Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, explores how graphene-enhanced concrete can help the construction industry save time and money and become more sustainable
Last year, the UK government outlined a strategy on how to reach net-zero by 2050 by building back greener. These policies and proposals will enable the decarbonisation of all sectors within the UK. The key to the government’s approach to decarbonisation is innovation. Investing in and utilising the innovations available to us marks a step towards real change.
The construction industry, including concrete, buildings and other construction materials, is a large contributor to carbon emissions, currently accounting for 40% of the world’s global greenhouse gases. The toll this industry takes on the environment is too significant to ignore. With construction output showing no signs of slowing down, the materials we use and the way we build must change to reduce carbon emissions. It is now more important than ever that the construction industry take concrete steps to become more sustainable, so we reach the goal of net-zero.
The construction industry is fundamental to the growth and prosperity of our society and economy. It contributes to more than £10 billion per annum of output and 7% of GDP. To boost the economy after the pandemic, the UK government has pledged to invest £650 billion in the UK’s infrastructure. This means that there will be more of a focus on the jobs and revenue construction brings to the economy.
Whilst growth of the industry is not slowing down, innovation is needed to modernise the sector as many of the same practices have existed for decades. The processes and materials need to be optimised, making them more efficient and ensuring the sector can break new ground. With all the technology we have, we need to focus on making better buildings and infrastructure that are cheaper to maintain.
Not only do they need to become more efficient, but they need to become more resilient to withstand the effects of climate change. The construction industry must be prepared for the physical risks of extreme weather events in the future. Infrastructures must be designed to endure potential future climate conditions.
While most construction output is dedicated to new builds, 40% of it is used for refurbishment and maintenance. This further emphasises the need the industry has to create durable buildings that do not require as much upkeep.
Reducing the carbon footprint of construction with graphene-enhanced concrete
Sustainability is now a permanent fixture on the executive agenda for governments and businesses alike. Like many other industries, the construction industry has come under scrutiny for its massive carbon footprint. The construction industry contributes to 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions. With the push from every industry to be more sustainable, the construction industry must do more to adapt to the changing climate. Leaders in construction must invest in innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions. This is where graphene comes in.
Graphene is a relatively new material that was first isolated by Russian scientists in 2004 at the University of Manchester, UK, who subsequently won a Nobel prize for their efforts. This development is how isolating graphene has paved the way for technological advancement.
Graphene is a single-layer sheet of carbon that has been isolated from graphite. Despite being only one atom thick (~0.3 nanometres) thick, it is found to be 200 times stronger than steel by weight. Aside from its impressive strength it also has high electrical and thermal conductivity and is water-resistant. Graphene is also made of carbon, one of the most abundant materials on earth, so it is unlikely to become scarce. The impact this can have on construction means that fewer materials are used, cost efficiency is increased, and carbon emissions are reduced. A recent study conducted by Cambridge University indicated if the addition of graphene results in a 5% reduction of cement, the effect on global warming could be reduced by 21%.
Saving time and money with graphene-enhanced concrete
Following the initial isolation, mass adoption did not take place as expected due to the high costs of production. However, over the past few years, the first real opportunities to use graphene commercially have started to gain traction.
Once graphene is added to cement it can increase the strength of the resulting cementitious composites by 30% which includes its compressive strength, therefore, offering potentially stronger, more durable structures. In the main chemical reaction, hydration between water and cement, graphene acts as a surface catalyst which leads to better bonding at a microscopic level.
Normal concrete is more vulnerable when exposed to the elements too. When structures start to form cracks and those cracks start to fill up with water, it weakens the overall structure. According to researchers, graphene-enhanced concrete is four times more water-resistant than existing concrete. The low water permeability will give the material a longer lifespan and reduce the need for maintenance or rebuilding.
Concrete is weak in tension; therefore, steel is needed to reinforce concrete and overcome that weakness. As the graphene-based admix significantly increases the tensile strength of concrete, the need for steel reinforcement can be reduced or replaced by other materials to achieve the same structural performance as normal concrete. Less building material means less time onsite saving organisations time and money.
Currently, the construction industry is facing issues with a steep increase in the price of steel, due to rise in energy costs. Using graphene-enhanced concrete can help tackle this issue in two ways. It can reduce the need for steel reinforcement when building with concrete. It can also produce more durable infrastructures that can withstand weather conditions and reduce the need for maintenance.
3D building with graphene-enhanced concrete
Recently we have seen the increased commercialisation potential of 3D printing in construction. In the past decade, it has become more viable and less expensive to utilise 3D printers.
Houses can be built to buyer specification and the process is much faster, simpler and requires fewer building materials. Speeding up the process of building can save construction workers time on site, especially at a time where the industry is plagued by labour shortages.
The process also provides a 40% reduction in price as compared to the traditional building of a house. These reductions in cost can be then passed along to the buyer, making houses much more affordable. Innovations like these can be utilised to get onto the property ladder, which is already so difficult to get onto.
3D printers are also able to use graphene-enhanced concrete to print houses which will enable the construction industry to become even more sustainable.
Building houses in a more cost and energy-efficient way
Looking to the future the only way for the construction industry to promote sustainability is to change the narrative of the way we do things. We cannot stop building houses, but we can make the process more cost and energy efficient.
To reach net-zero all industries must play their part including the construction industry. Considering the construction sector has a significant carbon footprint it is key that alternative building materials are used to bring down carbon emissions.
Graphene can play a huge part in this as it reduces emissions and costs and enhances the strength of buildings. It can challenge the way we are used to doing things and help improve sustainable building practices for the construction industry.
The industry must look at engaging with technological innovations, such as graphene-enhanced concrete, to help push for sustainability. Advancements like 3D printing are the way forward in helping the construction sector evolve and align with the future of housing. While there is still a lot more progress needed in utilising these innovative building materials and using them commercially, this is a step in the right direction in helping to reach net-zero by 2050.
