PropConnect cements itself as ‘go to’ event for construction industry in Northants

 

Two construction business owners in Northamptonshire have joined forces to launch a sector specific networking event for the county.

 

The event – PropConnect – was created by Parm Bhangal, managing director of Bhangals Construction Consultants, and Matthew Abraham, managing director at FormFive after the duo kept bumping into each other attending events in London and realised there was demand for a networking event closer to home for those working in the construction industry.

 

Matthew (left) and Parm at the launch of PropConnect

 

The inaugural PropConnect event took place on Thursday, October 3 at Bhangals Construction Consultants’ recently refurbished offices at Grange Park, Northampton and attracted more than 80 guests from the construction industry who were based in Northamptonshire. This included structural engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, contractors and modular build specialists.

 

Those who attended the early evening event were treated to speeches by Parm and Matthew, a free bar and buffet, and three hours of informal networking.

 

 

 

Matthew said:

“We wanted to create an event that brought together businesses in Northamptonshire, small and large, from many different but related disciplines, and see them grow in the property and construction sector through building local connections and meeting people they have never met before on their doorstep.”

 

Parm added:

“Construction is all about collaboration and communication and you can only do that by having conversations with people about the business sector you working are in. When I looked around the room at the first PropConnect event, I could see some incredible businesses specialising in all areas of construction and property, talking to each other. I’m really proud of what we are doing with PropConnect and I hope that the group grows and those who attend continue to benefit from the connections they make and relationships they build.”

 

PropConnect will be a quarterly networking event going forward, with the next meeting taking place in the new year. Visit prop-connect.co.uk to find out more.

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What features in new housing builds are priorities compared to a decade ago?

It is said that over 300,000 new homes a year are needed to be built in order to keep up with the UK’s growing population. Between 2022 and 2023, just over 200,000 were built – a 60% increase from the 125,000 new homes a decade ago. This increase, described as the ‘race to build new homes’, isn’t just about numbers either, as new builds are also rapidly adapting to meet modern demands.

More than ever before, there is a focus on new-builds reaching higher standards in technological advancements, sustainability, and modern lifestyles, but what exactly has changed? The following article from property and construction specialists Watts reveals how housing priorities have changed over the past decade, and what we can expect in the years to come.

Environment and sustainability

Although the UK formally incorporated sustainability into its building regulations in the early 2000s, the past decade has seen a larger commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of new-builds; highlighted by the new regulations introduced in June 2022. These new regulations, set to help the UK deliver net zero, require that CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards, bring the banning of gas and oil boilers, and outline that each new build must come with EV charging points, among many others.

As house-building policies become increasingly linked to net-zero goals, new-builds are progressively being made from responsibly sourced materials, low-VOC paints, and modular building methods to reduce waste and promote efficiency. Additionally, modern homes are being designed to promote energy conservation, whilst reducing the reliance on non-renewable energy. For instance, In Fife in Scotland, 80 new builds were set to be Gas free, allowing homeowners to rely less on energy consumption to fuel, heat, and light their homes.

Thanks to modern building practices, just under 1 million homes in England and Wales have an EPC of C++, compared to just 661,000 homes a decade ago.

Smart technology

This decade has witnessed the rise of the smart home, where an emphasis on smart technology such as lighting, smart security systems, HVAC controls, and pre-installed energy-efficient appliances – all integrated into one main tech ecosystem – have become commonplace. According to Samsung’s Smart Home Buyers Index, nearly 80% of people looking to move home in the next five years want their next home to be a smart one.

Smart technology has revolutionised modern living, with it offering not only more practical ways of living, but also its ability to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and reduce costs on the consumer.

 

Lifestyle and well-being 

Finally, developers have recognised the importance of health and well-being in a competitive market. In contrast to more compartmentalised and function-focused layouts from previous decades, there is a growing demand for multipurpose spaces, open-plan living, home offices, outdoor spaces, alongside increased access to community – especially post-pandemic.

A study conducted by Natural England demonstrated that city parks, community gardens, playing fields, and other urban sites were the most visited type of green space in England, and that living within 100 metres of such an area can raise house prices by an average of £2,500, demonstrating that addressing the housing crisis while focusing on both economic and social well-being adds significant value.

This emphasis on well-being has also brought biodiversity into focus, as specialist hedgehog fencing, bat boxes, and native tree planting are being incorporated into developments.

To conclude, in the face of growing challenges, new house builds are being looked at with a long-term vision. In 2024, looking forward to 2030, homes are evolving from simply providing basic shelter, to addressing both national and global needs. Compared to a decade ago, modern homes are not only a band-aid to accommodate a growing population, but they are also becoming a driving source and remedy to sustainability, energy efficiency, and community well-being. By ensuring that new homes are equipped to meet the challenges of the coming decades, we are laying the foundations for a more resilient and sustainable future.

 

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Local Services ‘increasingly threadbare’ – including planning

Planning departments hit hardest by staff shortages

Planning departments are facing the worst workforce shortages, with eight out of 10 experiencing recruitment and retention issues, new research has revealed ahead of the budget.

The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has warned that workforce shortages at the local level caused by strained budgets could undermine the Government’s housebuilding plans.

In a survey of England’s district councils, the DCN found that 84% of planning departments were struggling to recruit and retain staff.

The poll, which had responses from 80 local authorities, also revealed that building control (49%) and housing and homelessness services (31%) faced personnel shortages.

The DCN’s research also revealed the scale of extra spending caused by wage increases.

The organisation’s members on average had to budget an additional £881,000 each in extra pay for 2024-25 – an increase in 5.2% across the district council sector as a whole.

They have also budgeted for further rises of 3.3% in 2025-26 and 3.1% in 2026-27.

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, DCN’s finance spokesperson, commented that cuts have left services ‘increasingly threadbare’ which has meant the burden on remaining staff has grown.

‘Local government is about place leadership and driving change in communities and it should offer prospective staff a rewarding career – but at the end of the day unless we get adequate funding that allows departments to function properly and staff to be paid fairly we will see more of our workforce leave to more lucrative roles elsewhere.’

Source: LocalGov

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The UK is ‘dangerously underprepared’ for future energy crisis

The ECC, a high-level group of experts including representatives from Energy UK, CBI, Citizens Advice and National Energy Action, was established to review the impacts of the energy crisis on households and businesses and make recommendations to better equip the country to withstand possible future energy crises. They found that:

  • British households and businesses were hit harder than many other European countries because of high dependence on gas for heating and power generation.
  • Household billpayers ‘paid the price’ for the slow pace of improving leaky and damp housing stock, delays to new-build efficiency standards, and missed opportunities to build more renewables like onshore wind, according to the report.
  • Poorly targeted support schemes and the slow pace of improving home energy efficiency meant that the poorest households suffered, and pushed up the overall cost of the crisis for the UK, driving up national debt.
  • The impact on some vulnerable households and businesses has been catastrophic’: nine in ten households cut back their energy use, the number of households in fuel poverty reached around 7.5 million, and GB households owe around £3.5 billion to energy companies.
  • Almost one in ten firms (8%) reported ceasing operations for some or all their business and one in five (22%) said that they would draw on cash reserves in response to higher energy costs.
  • The energy crisis drove the wider cost of living crisis and stifled economic growth.
  • Too little progress has been made since the start of the energy crisis to reduce the UK’s reliance on gas by insulating homes and scaling up the installation of heat pumps.

This is not the first time the UK and other countries have been affected by a sustained energy price shock. The recent crisis is different, however. It affected gas prices rather than oil prices. Given the importance of gas for homes, businesses and electricity generation, the UK was particularly vulnerable to its impacts.” – Jim Watson, Director, UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources

Recommendations

It’s clear from the ECC report that the UK needs to accelerate its low-carbon transition to improve its resilience to another energy crisis. To do this they recommend that the UK:

  • Develops a clear strategy for shifting away from fossil fuels, particularly gas.
  • Increases public investment in home energy efficiency to improve millions of cold, damp, unhealthy homes.
  • Introduces strengthened energy efficiency regulations for the private rented sector and implement the Future Homes Standard for better quality new builds.
  • Accelerates rollout of electric heat pumps via the Clean Heat Market Mechanism and set out a plan for transitioning away from gas heating.
  • Continues to accelerate progress towards clean power by scaling up diverse and flexible technology, being ambitious on renewables and improving grid infrastructure and storage capacity.
  • Provides targeted and scale-up support for businesses and energy intensive industries to decarbonise.
  • Pursues electricity market reform urgently.

This report provides a timely analysis of the immediate effects of the price crisis, and the responses by government, the regulator and the industry. Crucially, it also seeks to learn lessons from the past two years, and to recommend actions that would reduce the UK’s vulnerability in future.” – Jim Watson, Director, UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources

Future proofing

Additionally, the ECC made recommendations to ensure better handling of a future crisis:

  • Improve targeting of support for vulnerable households, including data sharing and matching, and urgently preparing for the need for support rising this winter.
  • Introduce separate, targeted and scaled-up support for energy intensive industries and other businesses.
  • Review regulation to protect consumers from supplier failure.
  • Develop an overarching plan to reduce the risk of future crises, including regular stress testing of the UK’s resilience to price shocks and disruption.

The long-term solution is to shift away from fossil fuels. To achieve this, the report emphasises the need to improve energy efficiency and invest more rapidly in non-fossil sources of energy. However, it is also important to manage the decline of fossil fuels in an equitable way – especially gas. A comprehensive plan is required to achieve this that covers all stages of the gas supply chain: from offshore production in the North Sea to the use of appliances in homes” – Jim Watson, Director, UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources

Source: ULC Institute

 

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A Source of Conflict in the Construction Industry

Retentions have been a source of conflict in the construction industry for too long. Their day is over. It is time for governments to act

 Calum Melville is CEO of Edison Capital

 

Is there a strategy within the construction industry in Britain to drive contractors out of business? This is not some mad conspiracy theory. The tragedy for the sector is that it has to be asked as a serious question.

What makes me say this? Well, nobody in construction will be surprised to learn that I am talking about cash retentions, the issue which has bedevilled small- to medium-businesses throughout living memory and is still killing them off with depressing regularity.

We need to be explicit about the shocking behaviour of big companies holding on to money that doesn’t belong to them and the fact that unscrupulous outfits are not paying what is owed to their suppliers in the hope that they will go under, and resolve the issue for them. Everyone who goes bust in this business has on their books a customer who hasn’t paid them.

Unfair behaviour by the big boys remains rife. Only last week (October 8), a major Scottish-based contractor was ordered by the High Court to pay a subcontractor £1.1 million when the judge ruled it had mounted a “frivolous defence” and that its arguments were “entirely without merit”.

This is not a new problem. Retentions, which are still the main bugbear, have been a part of the construction industry in the UK for more than 100 years and, in recent times, there has been a growing divide between major companies, which regard them as a useful mechanism, and smaller firms which almost unanimously see them as a company-destroying blight.

A rational analysis of the matter probably lies somewhere in between, but the focus of the construction sector, in which I have become increasingly involved over the past two years, must surely be on whether retentions have a place in a modern industry or whether Government should be legislating to get rid of them.

First of all, what are retentions? Essentially, they are a percentage of payment held back typically by a client or main contractor under a construction contract to act as security, or an assurance that the project works will be completed and that defects which may subsequently develop are remedied.

On the face of it, this seems reasonable, since it would appear to ensure that the contracted works are defect-free and that, in theory, the sub-contractor’s payment is protected until it is released at the end of an agreed period.

That is how it would work in an ideal world. However, in the mud and breezeblock world of the sub-contractor, things can often be seen from a different and significantly more jaundiced perspective.

The time between the contract start and the release of the held-back payment can inexplicably lengthen, frequently to the point where the subbie, now fully engaged on other projects, stops trying to collect and writes it down as a loss.

It is widely believed in the industry that less responsible contractors have made it a practice to count retentions as part of their own profit, or as an aid to cashflow, and have never had any intention of releasing the sums in question. Or contractors go bust, and the retention monies held go to primary creditors, rather than those to whom it was owed.

Let’s also factor in that, if clients keep 5% of the contract value as job retentions, that could equate to 50% of the profit the contractor expects to make. It could even be 100%. Margins are tight across the board, so it makes it even harder to swallow.

Even when contractors are calculating their returns from a job, they often don’t include existing overheads and, while overlooking this clearly is their fault, it shows they are so desperate to win the work that they are not pricing it properly, and it adds more pressure.

Also, contractors legally need to be on site the whole time, accruing further costs, especially if money is being held back. If they leave, they will be breaching contract and could be in more trouble legally, so they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Industry veteran Rudi Klein, former CEO of the SEC Group, said recently that SMEs had lost more than £2.5 billion of retentions, at a conservative estimate, as a result of upstream insolvencies. The Pye Tait Report from seven years ago reckoned that £5 billion was being withheld annually – a figure that will only have risen in the intervening period.

Just last year, in a less-than-festive Christmas message, Scotland’s Construction Industry Collective Voice said that 73% of respondents to a survey had experienced severe difficulties in securing the release of their retentions.

There have been innumerable Government initiatives over the years, at both Scottish and UK levels, to address the issue – from Build UK’s “roadmap to zero retentions” by 2025, the Get It Right initiative and the 2018 Hackitt Inquiry on building safety – but the practice remains as firmly entrenched in the construction industry psyche as ever.

This month’s damning Grenfell Inquiry report is long on improving standards – which, it is generally recognised, removing retentions would do – but the best advice would be not to hold your breath on that one.

One potential answer to what is clearly a convoluted and intractable problem might be an adoption of some of the more realistic elements of the Industry Behaviours Charter introduces by Oil and Gas UK’s Efficiency Task Force in 2015.

As well as a collective commitment to work effectively, efficiently and co-operatively, the Charter suggested that differences of view on retained money could focus on the individual part of the contract at issue.

Thus, if the matter in dispute was worth only 5% of the whole contract, then that would mean that 5% wouldn’t be paid rather than holding onto all the monies in the meantime while it was resolved.

The GVA of the construction industry in the UK was £108.7 billion, according to number-crunching site Statista, compared to a contribution of £30 billion by the oil and gas sector, which admittedly is winding down.

Action on retentions will eventually have to be at a legislative level. If it can raise standards across the board, create greater transparency and co-operation and avoid the annual cull of small firms who haven’t been paid for the work they’ve done, then surely it’s worth a try.

 

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SFS CPD seminars doubling down on key industry topics

 

As a specialist in all areas of the building envelope, SFS Group Fastening Technology has created a comprehensive selection of CPD seminars which are intended to offer architects and other specifiers valuable insights into relevant industry topics, embracing key issues such as sustainability, safety and structural stability.

The RIBA approved presentations have been compiled to ensure participants gain a better understanding of the topics which range from fall protection systems to the fixing of warm roofs.  Each seminar normally runs for 40 minutes with the opportunity for questions afterwards, while RIBA Chartered Architects will qualify for double CPD points.  There is also the choice of having seminars delivered by the manufacturer’s Specification Team at offices and at the SFS Academy in Leeds or Welwyn Garden City.

Vincent Matthews, the Head of UK Marketing for SFS Group Fastening Technology, commented:

“The CPD sessions have been designed to develop the knowledge of architects and other construction industry professionals on topics impacting the industry.  The subjects include rainscreen cladding systems, designing the correct roof safety systems, and Evolution to Innovation: the fixing of warm roofs.  Each subject is broken down into specific areas: with ‘Airtightness and Thermal Efficiency’, for instance, covering how to test for airtightness, the energy performance of a project design, corrosion issues and cost-effective system specification as well as other aspects.

“Importantly, the CPDs are designed to provide information which will benefit architects in their everyday work, particularly in respect of issues such as energy efficiency trends sustainability, safety and some of the complex challenges raised by changes to legislation.”

As an acknowledged leader in the roofing and cladding industry, SFS has developed a diverse catalogue of products including rainscreen support systems, and has recently collaborated with an insulation manufacturer to create the game-changing NVELOPE ®NVS-RP range of thermally broken stainless steel brackets, facilitating thinner build-ups offering a reaction to fire rating of Euroclass fire classification of A2-s1, d0 good fire as well as energy performance.  Also, the force behind the Fall Protection Installer Network, SFS continues to innovate and helps shape the future of the industry through its CPD programme while offering a growing library of While Papers along with other training and education support.

CLICK HERE

For further information and view a video case study of the project

 

 

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AI-Augmented Architecture

 

Dewan Architects + Engineers is set to unveil its latest innovations in AI-augmented BIM and automation alongside some of the world’s leading technology innovators at the Autodesk University (AU) 2024 in San Diego, USA.

This high-level event marks a significant milestone in Dewan’s digital transformation journey as the firm, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, joins over 12,000 design and make experts at the AU conference.

At AU 2024, Dewan will showcase its ongoing research and development (R&D) in automation tools, which significantly boost efficiency and project delivery in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Dewan’s bespoke suite of tools integrate seamlessly with Autodesk products, streamlining workflows and addressing critical challenges such as coordination inefficiencies and data fragmentation. Through a live talk, Dewan will illustrate how these tools are improving outcomes on ongoing projects, not only accelerating timelines but also enhancing data accuracy and team collaboration.

As the lead design consultant for the AMAALA Yacht Club, Dewan Architects + Engineers’ cloud-driven BIM workflows reduced design collaboration time by 43%, shortened total design time by 17%, and minimised change management efforts by 28%. These processes resulted in a 40% reduction in design-related activities, delivering significant operational savings and enhancing overall efficiency.

AI and Quible:

The Future of Smarter, Agile DesignDewan will showcase its progress in leveraging AI, with Quible as the centrepiece — a BIM-to-AI tool developed in-house to enhance data analysis and decision-making. By utilising deep learning and Large Language Models (LLM), Quible enables smarter, more precise designs, leading to greater design accuracy and improved project outcomes across all phases.

From Automation to AI-Augmented Decision Making

The integration of AI within BIM, as exemplified by Quible, enables near-real-time insights that significantly enhance the design process. AI algorithms can analyse vast datasets, including information from previous projects and environmental factors, transforming building design from a reactive to a proactive approach. This shift optimises project performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

As AI continues to reshape industry standards, Dewan’s innovative approach positions it as a driving force in the evolution of the AEC industry. The company’s forward-thinking strategy, centred on Outcome-Based Design, envisions a future where AI provides interactive insights into the performance, sustainability, and cost implications of design elements—leading to more informed decisions.

Christopher Stock, Head of BIM at Dewan Architects + Engineers, commented:

“The ability for data to be interactive and live opens the door to a more responsive design process, allowing teams to stay agile and informed, ultimately driving better project outcomes.”

 

Ammar Al Assam, CEO of Dewan Architects + Engineers, added:

“Our commitment to technological advancement is part of our DNA. With AI and platforms like Quible, we’re not just optimising processes; we’re creating a new paradigm for how architecture and engineering are practiced globally. This marks a key milestone in our 40-year journey of shaping the future of design.”

 

Unlocking New Frontiers

MAD, a dedicated technology research lab within Dewan, is focused on driving digital transformation through R&D. By integrating AI, automation, and emerging technologies like Digital Twins, Extended Reality (XR), MAD aims to optimise workflows across the company. The division also fosters digital innovation, spearheading R&D to develop pioneering solutions that address industry challenges and anticipate future trends.

Case Studies and Real-World Impact

Attendees at AU 2024 will have the opportunity to explore Dewan’s design automation and analytics solutions through practical case studies. Notably, the AMAALA Yacht Club project developed by Red Sea Global in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrates how cloud-driven BIM workflows reduced design collaboration time by 43%, shortened total design time by 17%, and minimised change management efforts by 28%. These processes resulted in a 40% reduction in design-related activities, delivering significant operational savings and enhancing overall efficiency.

Pioneering Innovation in Architecture and Engineering

Dewan’s development of Quible is just one of its many technological advancements in 2024. Alongside breakthroughs in BIM, cloud-based solutions, and AI-enhanced design processes, Dewan continues to lead innovation in the architecture and construction sector. The recent acquisition of a majority stake in Singapore-based DesignLab further solidifies Dewan’s leadership in the global hospitality sector.

Dewan’s adherence to the ISO 19650 standard ensures that project data and collaboration meet the highest international benchmarks. With AI, deep learning, and advanced analytics at the core of its operations, Dewan remains committed to pushing the boundaries of architectural innovation and operational efficiency, shaping the future of the built environment.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Digital Excellence

Dewan’s initiative at AU marks the beginning of a broader vision for digital excellence. By leveraging AI for design and embracing near-real-time data analysis, Dewan is at the forefront of a sweeping transformation that promises to unlock new efficiencies, better outcomes, and limitless potential for future projects.

As Dewan continues to advance decision-making and digital integration, it remains focused on its mission: to redefine the possibilities in architecture and engineering by placing technology at the heart of its innovation strategy.

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School Closure should have been a ‘Flash Warning’

 

A Norfolk MP has called for derelict city school to be transformed.

Alice Macdonald, Labour MP for Norwich North, has urged County Hall to bring the Angel Road Junior School building back into use.

The school suddenly closed down more than three years ago after tiles fell from the ceiling and could sit empty for another decade unless Norfolk County Council agrees a new lease.

Ms Macdonald told parliament that “urgent action” was required and expressed her hopes to see the site turned into a school for children with special educational needs (SEND).

Since its closure in 2021, the school site has been left empty, with delays in securing a future for it branded a “scandal” by opposition councillors at County Hall.

The current lease on Angel Road Infant School is due to expire in 2035, meaning unless current renegotiations conclude the junior school site will remain in limbo.

Norwich North Labour MP Alice Macdonald raised the issue of the empty school – and her hopes that it can be turned into a school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – in Parliament last week.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk County Council confirmed the council had not yet carried out its own inspection of the ceiling at Angel Road Junior School.

She said:

“This is something we will do when the building is transferred back. The school isn’t being used currently, so there has been no reason to carry out an inspection.”

But Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall, said:

“We need to challenge the whole school building inspection system.

“Angel Road Junior School closed because of a ceiling collapse, which should have been a flashing warning that other older school buildings in Norfolk might be at risk.

“Academies have taken over many former council run schools on full repairing leases, but the county council remains responsible for school standards including ensuring children are learning in a safe and well maintained environment.”

Mr Morphew said the current rules over inspections of schools needed to be “clarified and tightened” to prevent responsibility being avoided.

He said:

“Children’s safety trumps every consideration. But behind that is a potentially enormous backlog of inspection, improvement, maintenance and cost which academies have responsibility for, and the council has responsibility for making sure is carried out, on top of direct responsibility for schools still under council control.

“This is becoming a major issue and I am very pleased Alice Macdonald raised it in the House.”

When the county council announced the inspections of the schools it has responsibility for, it urged trusts to conduct their own safety checks.

 

Source: Eastern Daily Express

 

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New Homes Must Meet Area Demographics

 

Propertymark has backed the Government’s reforms to the National Policy Planning Framework and other changes to the planning system but warns requirements need to be more area specific for each region.

Responding to the Government’s consultation on planning reforms, the professional body highlighted concerns raised from a roundtable in September about what is working with the planning system and what needs improving.

Responses highlighted a lack of local knowledge and consistency among local council planning officers and stated that planning requirements should be tailored to each area. Properties, therefore, need to be built for the specific needs of local neighbourhoods, as one area may need more housing for older residents than others, Propertymark said.

Members stressed that construction remains expensive, so councils would either have to build more affordable homes themselves or subsidise developers to meet precise demand.

To make matters more difficult, members said that there is a lack of incentives for landowners to sell to develop.

They also warned that without a long-term housing strategy from successive governments, there can be no way for politicians to ensure that there are housing options across all tenures to meet the needs of local communities on an individual basis.

There was also strong feeling that new homes should also be built on brownfield sites first, be more energy efficient, and not compromise any natural landscapes.

Commenting on members’ feedback, Rose Forman, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, said:

“Focusing on planning reform is an important step for the UK Government to deliver the magnitude of new homes it has promised. Propertymark consulted with our members who said there is a greater need for planning requirements to be more area specific, and for greater local knowledge and consistency in the decisions made by local authority planning officers.

“Our members want to see homes built for the demographics who will need them and in the precise locations for which there is demand. The type and cost of construction must be taken into consideration and the UK Government must have a long-term strategy which future-proofs our towns, villages and cities for generations to come. New homes must be energy efficient and built around robust supporting infrastructure, such as upgrades to road and public transport setups, as well as wide ranging health and education provision.”

Source: Estate Agent Today

 

Soiurce:

 

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Repurposed London Clay as low-carbon cement alternative

Funding for further trials of repurposed London Clay as low-carbon cement alternative

 

High Speed 2 London tunnels team Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture bags funding from Innovate UK’s £3.2M pot for trialling repurposed London Clay as an alternative to carbon-intensive Portland cement.

The Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture (SCS JV) project is one of six recipients of £3.2M in Innovate UK funds, which could help the UK’s concrete industry accelerate its decarbonisation efforts.

SCS JV will use its part of the funding to carry out further research and testing into using calcined London Clay – excavated from tunnel activities – as a replacement for Portland cement in concrete for High Seep 2 (HS2) permanent works.

Portland cement production is highly energy-intensive and emits large amounts of CO2. Replacing it with calcined London Clay could lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The JV is working on the project together with client HS2 Ltd, technical lead Arup, concrete supplier Tarmac, the University of Leeds and Sika UK, along with Expedition Engineering and the Mineral Product Association (MPA).

Skanska materials engineering manager Apostolos Tsoumelekas, who has been heavily involved in the project, said: “The clay that is excavated from the HS2 tunnels is essentially a waste product. We have developed a process which calcines the clay and grinds it to a powder transforming it into a useful resource which can then be added to concrete replacing Portland cement. The results have been impressive and hopefully if it’s scaled up it could really help speed up the adoption of low-carbon concrete for commercial use.”

Background

The funding builds on the Re-purposed Excavated Arising Loop (REAL) initiative, a feasibility study established to address the challenge of excess tunnel and excavation materials from the HS2 London tunnels.

he majority of this waste material consists of London Clay. The REAL initiative explored ways to repurpose this clay, initially focusing on two potential applications: as expanded clay aggregate (lightweight aggregate – LWA) and as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to replace Portland cement in concrete.

According to Tsoumelekas, the project underwent multiple stages:

  • Stage 1a: Testing London Clay for its suitability as SCM and LWA
  • Stage 1b: Designing and optimising concrete mixes incorporating London Clay-derived SCM and LWA
  • Stage 2: Setting up a pilot clay processing facility and using its outputs in construction works.

The team discovered that while London Clay could be used for both applications, its use as SCM provided the most substantial benefits, Tsoumelekas told GE.

The results of the REAL study showed a reduction in carbon figures and suggested potential savings of tens of millions of pounds on a project the size of HS2. However, further research was required.

The preliminary trials have thus paved the way for this latest funding to help scale up production.

Calcined London Clay

When asked about the suitability of calcined London Clay as a low-carbon alternative to Portland cement, Tsoumelekas said: “Simplistically, the mineralogy of the London Clay will determine its suitability. A key parameter indicating the reactivity of clays is the kaolinite content, which can subsequently be used to justify a clay’s suitability as a SCM.

“We have found that despite London Clay’s relatively low kaolinite content, it is possible to be used as a beneficial supplementary cementitious material.”

Despite its promise, using London Clay as an SCM comes with challenges. One of the key hurdles is the limited availability of calcination facilities in the UK.

“Based on the data from the REAL initiative, we have proven that low/moderate reactivity clays can be used as SCM in concrete to produce structural concrete mix designs,” Tsoumelekas added.

“The funding will help with scaling up of the calcination of the excavated London Clay and will assist with the assessment of long term durability aspects.”

Preliminary data has shown that calcined clays as SCM can be used in medium-strength structural concrete mixes, with the potential to achieve even higher compressive strengths through optimised concrete mixes.

“Calcined clays as SCM are permitted in the relevant standards, up to a certain replacement percentage,” Tsoumelekas told GE.

“The funding will also assist with the development of admixtures that will assist with the performance of the designed concrete mixes with higher calcined clay contents. Its long-term durability will also be tested and assessed.”

In summary, Tsoumelekas said, the funding will be used to help with the characterisation of the raw and calcined form of the London Clay, the development of appropriate concrete mixes and relevant admixtures, as well as long and short term durability aspects.

 

Source: Ground Engineering

 

 

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