(A*STAR) Development and Characterisation of Waste Ash-based Geopolymer

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world with an annual consumption of over 10 billion cubic meters. Cement, which is the most carbon intensive constituent in concrete contributes to over 80% of the total embodied carbon of concrete. The global annual production of cement is over 4.4 billion metric tons where the manufacturing process of cement alone contributes to about 6-8% of total global CO2 emissions. Although a range of low carbon concrete materials, including geopolymer binders, have been developed by research groups around the world, a number of limitations prevent the everyday real-life applications of the technologies. For example, lack of availability of the required constituent materials from the local sources is a key challenge when exploring the full potential of new cement/concrete binder materials. The aim of the present PhD project is to develop an experimentally-validated, novel geopolymer binder that is developed using widely available industrial and agricultural waste. The first half of the PhD project develops the fundamental scientific understanding of the potential of easily available waste materials as geopolymer mixture materials. The developing understanding will then be extended for the identification and characterisation of the detailed chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the proposed new geopolymer materials and the processes. The knowledge of the characetrisation of the materials and the processes will then be used to establish the proposed novel geopolymer mix design details whilst focusing on the fresh, hardened and durability properties of the concrete. Appropriate nanoengineering technologies will be investigated in order to tailor the optimal properties of the binder materials. The developed mix design details of the proposed novel geopolymer binder materials will then be investigated for real-life applications involving unreinforced and reinforced concrete members. Finally, life cycle carbon savings of the proposed new geopolymer concrete compared to the current wisdom of geopolymer and regular concrete technologies will be justified using life cycle analysis.

 Eligibility

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology. 

Before you Apply

Applicants must make direct contact with preferred University of Manchester supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

How To Apply

To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application form - full details on eligibility how to apply can be found on our website. On the online application form select PhD Mech Aero and Civil Engineering Programme. Please ensure you include the full project title in your application, i.e. (A*STAR) Development and Characterisation of Waste Ash-based Geopolymer.

Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadlines. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team [Email Address Removed]

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).