1. Research on the regulations on the hydration, morphology, and sulfate-attack resistivity of aluminate phase with nano particles; 2. Research on raw material treatment of low-carbon solid waste-based cementitious materials, including 2.1 Research on preparation of thermal activated red mud as SCMs, and 2.2. Research on preparation of thermal activated coal gangue as SCMs; 3. Research on performance of nanomodified high-performance low-carbon cementitious materials based on solid waste, including 3.1. Research on nanoSiO2 controlled limestone-calcined clay low-carbon cement, and 3.2. Research on the effects of nanoSiO2 controlled supersulfated cement on frost-resistance and carbonation resistance.
During the implementation of the project, Dr. Hou involved in the exchange of the secondment agencies. Visits of the University of Leeds, Politecnico di Milano, TERREAL Group were conducted and 3 seminars were made during the period. Moreover, Dr. Hou visited University of Bath, Imperial College London, University College London, Heriot-Watt University, Birmingham University etc. Exchanges of knowledge were made through seminars.
Two international seminars were organized at the host university, and Dr. Hou act as the organizer to gather researchers in and out of the UK to take part in the seminars.
During this project, Dr. Hou and the beneficiaries get involved in all the management aspect of the fellowship, and the research mange the financial part of the project. Brunel University London supported the researcher from different levels, the university, the administrative offices (HR, Department of Civil Engineering, etc.). The researcher has a close integration with the host department. Interactions between the faculties of the department, and 3 seminars were given to the faculty and students of reporting the progress of the project. There are 3 Ph.D students were co-supervised by the researcher, and nanoengineering of the consolidation of the soil, LC3 binder were studied. During the project, regular meetings, on-line and on-site were made for discussing the progress of the research work. The supervised students were all taken part in the meetings, too.
Advantages of the researcher’s multidisciplinary research background were taken to set up external collaborations. Collaboration between Brunel University London and Imperial College was made, and Dr. Hou work with Dr. Hong Wong’s group of synthesize calcium sulfoaluminate cement from London clay. The collaboration resulted in the submission of an international collaboration proposal and co-authored a paper submission.
The Project has had a profound impact on the careers of researchers, shaping their professional paths in numerous ways. Firstly, it has significantly expanded their international influence. Through collaborations with esteemed institutions such as Leeds University, Politecnico di Milano, Imperial College London, Birmingham University, and Heriot-Watt University, the project has broadened the scope of their research, leading to the exploration of new avenues and directions. These collaborations have also fostered strong relationships with the Concrete Society in the UK, further enhancing the researchers' standing in the international community. Additionally, hosting two international symposiums has greatly elevated their international profile and recognition. Moreover, the Project has provided opportunities for researchers to attend industry conferences, including those organized by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), Concrete Society of the UK, and RILEM.
The researcher took part in several international conferences during the conduction period, in which presentation on the outcome of the project has been reported, two of the most important ones are: UK-China Joint Conference, Valorization of Construction and Demolition Waste for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, 10-11 December 2021; India-UK Workshop on Concrete Waste Recycling, 18 Feb., 2022;
The researcher visited the following universities and colleagues: University of Leeds, Dr. Hou visited Prof. Leon Black on Aug. 4th, 2023. University of Birmingham, Dr. Hou visited Prof. Samuel Adu-amankwah on Feb. 16, 2024. University of Bath, Dr. Hou visited Prof. Xinyuan Ke on Aug. 14, 2023. University College London, Dr. Hou visited Prof. Yun Bai on Aug. 11, 2023. Imperial College London, Dr. Hou visited Prof. Hong Wang twice during this project and collaborate with his group member Marcus Yio on the preparation of Ye’lemite cement with London clay. Heriot-Watt University, Dr. Hou visited Prof. M. Basheer at HW university during Feb. 2024. Besides, scholars visited Brunel University, including Prof. Ferrara Liberato from Italy, Dr. Martin Piotte from France, et al. to make discussions on the development of the project. All the visits brought communications and exchanges of ideas, advertised the project as well. Other than the scientific publications, the researcher attended international conferences and visited universities for more than 10 times. During these events, the activities and results of the project were reported.
