Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living:

Demonstrating the Practical Use of Geopolymer Concrete

The Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living (CRC-LCL) is a national research and innovation hub aiming to drive Australia’s built environment towards a low-carbon future. 
With over 100 research projects commissioned, CRC-LCL focus on collaborative innovation, delivering outcomes to government and industry participants as well as the wider community. 

The Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association (ASA) have been heavily involved in projects within this initiative, namely the High Density Geopolymer (GPC) Project. The project demonstrates the use of GPC in a novel application, in this case, the construction of coastal protection (seawalls). 

Fourteen batches of GPC were cast and finished on site into high density non-ferrous armour units (that do not require steel reinforcing). Initial results of testing were confirmatory of the mix design, progressing the project. All units are in the field with ongoing monitoring, being used in the repair of the Illawarra Port Seawall which was damaged in the June 2016 east coast low. The project has resulted in a new way to use steel furnace slag in concrete matrices that does not have dilatory effects. 

Watch the video below to see the hanbar units come together. 

The design, construction and field trials make up the second last stage of the CRC-LCL’s research program. The final milestone report will be produced and published by the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living in June 2019.