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This focus area aims to provide an eco-design characterisation of MCMs and use this to develop eco-design principles applicable for different spatial and temporal scales, and socio-technical contexts.
Description
In infrastructure projects, common construction materials used are concrete, timber and stone. A significant effect on the environment in the form of carbon emissions as well as depletion of natural resources has been created by their extensive uncharacterised use.
In this project, eco-design principles relating to different aspects have been identified from literature and industry stakeholders, while their consideration from early design stage could potentially contribute to an optimal circular economy outcome for mineral-based construction materials.
To reflect this improvement, three case studies have been developed with the application of digital twin technologies: a maritime shipping decarbonisation case study, an underground freight delivery system and a highway infrastructure road project.
The eco-design principles relating to different aspects are:
- modular design and construction
- reuse of waste products
- use of waste materials
- use of data and intelligence
- modal integration
- natural environment impact
- maintenance and durability
This project is led by Dr Evangelia Manol who is based at UCL.