Project description
Atomistic understanding of cement degradation reveals mitigation strategies
Concrete is the world's most widely used man-made material and a key contributor to carbon emissions. Improving the stability of concrete will reduce need, cutting emissions and costs associated with production. Atomic-level understanding of how and why cement, concrete’s ‘binder’, breaks down is lacking. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ICING project aims to use advanced atomistic simulations to uncover the fundamental mechanisms of cement degradation related to environmental factors and materials composition. ICING will translate this understanding into practical strategies to significantly extend the lifespan of cement-based infrastructure – including compositional and surface modifications and molecular structure design. Success will reduce costs and the construction industry’s considerable carbon footprint.
Objective
This project addresses the pressing need for sustainable and durable concrete infrastructure by investigating the degradation mechanisms of cement paste (the binder phase of concrete) materials at the atomic level. Leveraging advanced atomistic simulations, we will focus on the chemo-poro-mechanical properties of cement paste to provide a fundamental understanding of how environmental factors and material composition influence material degradation processes including freeze-thaw, carbonation, alkali-silica reaction, and accelerated decalcification in saline solution, based on which effective mitigation strategies such as compositional optimisation, molecular structure design, and surface modification will be developed to enhance the long-term durability of cementitious infrastructure, contributing to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
The project will employ a multidisciplinary approach combining computational modelling, experimental validation, and material development. The project outcomes will directly contribute to the Work Programme's objectives by:
1. Advancing global scientific knowledge in the field of sustainable construction materials.
2. Developing innovative solutions for enhancing the lifespan of cement-based infrastructure and reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry.
3. Fostering collaboration between academia and industry to accelerate the adoption of sustainable construction practices.
This project will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient built environment by providing the scientific basis for the development of next-generation concrete technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.