Prototype: Bio-Circular Concrete
Microbial induced carbonation on bioreceptive concrete.
This project develops and tests bioreceptive concrete panels for the façade. It builds on previous research which developed a bio-receptive concrete panel made from 90% waste, where the concrete properties were optimised and the panel designed to attenuate water infiltration, thus supporting plant life. The use of waste materials, in addition to the increased surface area, created a viable environment for plant life. Notably, initial analysis indicated that microbial induced vaterite, a polymorph of calcium carbonate, had formed at the base of the plant roots.
This BioCircular concrete prototype aims to further refine the design of the concrete façade panels in order to support plant and microbial lifeforms, thereby increasing the absorption of atmospheric CO2. The project has a particular focus on 1.investigating whether or not microbial induced carbonation occurs on the concrete panels and 2. trailling the propagation of indigenous plant specied in the designed panel recesses. The BioCircular concrete panels are also designed to be installed on the exterior of the OME, HBBE’s experimental building, for experimental purposes.
Research Team: Armand Agraviador, Karolina Bloch, Ruth Morrow, Angie Sherry, Janet Simkin, Oliver Perry.
This is a collaborative project with Rory Doherty and Sree Nanukuttan from Queen’s University Belfast and Elizabeth Gilligan from Material Evolution.
