The University has launched a new international research network aimed at developing innovative low impact construction materials and technologies.
LimesNet (Low Impact Materials and innovative Engineering Solutions Network) will build a multi-disciplinary community of stakeholders to develop pioneering materials and technologies that will significantly reduce the impact of new and existing infrastructure.
Over 70 leading researchers and sector stakeholders, including product manufacturers, building designers, contractors, and clients, attended the launch workshop at the University of Bath on 15 September 2011.
The network is now seeking to recruit research active members who generally do not work in the area of construction materials and civil engineering.
Through inter-disciplinary working LimesNet seeks to develop novel research programmes capable of delivering significant innovation in the use of materials for the built environment.
In previous workshop discussions a need for greater engagement with a variety of expertise was identified, including economists, pure and applied scientists, health specialists, sociologists and artists. LimesNet welcomes approaches from any interested individuals, research groups or organisations.
Concrete is the second most consumed material by humankind after water, and worldwide the production of cement alone is responsible for an estimated five to ten per cent of all carbon emissions.
Whilst modern building regulations have driven improvements in the energy efficiency of buildings in use, the construction industry is still largely reliant on materials developed in an age of cheap fossil fuel based energy.
The construction product industry has made significant improvements in materials manufacture, such as the use of cement replacement materials; greater recycling of steel; more energy efficient processes, and improvements in building energy performance, through increased levels of insulation. Despite this, many new buildings have an increased rather than a decreased level of embodied carbon.
Professor Pete Walker, Director of the BRE sponsored Centre for Innovative Construction Materials will be leading the network. He said: “Achieving significant reductions in the cradle-to-cradle environmental impact of construction materials requires a fundamental reappraisal of their manufacture, specification and use.
“LimesNet will bring together a unique network of multi-disciplinary researchers and industry representatives to establish a new framework for structural and ground engineering.”
Delegates at the LimesNet launch event held in Bath earlier this month.
LimesNet is supported for 12 months by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and 50 industry partners. Initial membership is much larger than similar research networks, comprising researchers from over 30 leading UK universities.
Professor Walker said: “The launch event allowed for considerable networking opportunities, an introduction to the network’s aims and the launch of the network’s International Mission Fund with a call for proposals to lead on international missions. We’re now looking forward to recruiting research members to input to the network.”
Chris Stobbart, an Engineer from Jane Wernick Associates (architects), attended the launch event. He stated that one of the most important outcomes of the event was in “seeing the same kind of concerns come up across industry and academic, which led to a better understand within the community of priorities for future research.”
Non-academic membership of the network is drawn from across the construction sector including material and product manufacturers; ground and structural engineering consultants; construction contractors and subcontractors; architects and building environment engineers; and clients, property owners and procurers. Members at the workshop included representatives from: Arup, Buro Happold, Carillion, CIRIA, Expedition Engineering, Forestry Research, Ibstock, Kier, Mineral Products Association, NHBC, Ramboll, and URS Scott Wilson.
Interested individuals and organisations from a wide range of backgrounds, with the potential for developing collaboration within the construction industry, are encouraged to contact LimesNet Network Coordinator, Eloise Spark.
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