Project Summary
The Decarbonising Building Industry (DBI) Initiative is partnering with Spark Property Development (SPD) and the University of Melbourne to transform Australia’s precast concrete industry. This groundbreaking project focuses on creating ultra-low emission precast panels (ULEPPs) using innovative ultra-low carbon concrete (ULCC), aiming to revolutionise modular construction and significantly reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
DBI Partner
Key Objectives:
- Material Innovation: Develop ULCC with tailored properties for vertical battery moulds and enhance it with basaltic fibres.
- Prototype Development: Create and test ULEPP prototypes for structural, fire, and impact performance.
- Life Cycle and Emissions Analysis: Evaluate the panels’ lifecycle costs, embodied energy, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Design Guidelines: Deliver comprehensive guidelines for ULEPP design, fabrication, and assembly.
Project Focus Areas
- Integration of advanced low-energy curing technologies powered by renewable energy.
- Adoption of AI-based automation systems for production efficiency.
- Comprehensive lifecycle analyses (LCA) to ensure environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Expected Outcomes:
- National Impact: ULEPPs will improve construction efficiency, reduce embodied carbon, and lower material transportation costs.
- Sustainability Leadership: The project aims to deliver panels with ISO 14040 impact category reductions of up to 90%.
- Training and Dissemination: Equip industry professionals and researchers with skills and knowledge to advance sustainable construction globally.
Timeline and Budget:
The project spans three years (2025-2027) with a total budget of $80,000 annually. Milestones include material characterisation, prototype testing, lifecycle analysis, and dissemination of findings.
Project updates
Coming soon!
For inquiries, please contact:
- Jason Hughes (Director, Spark Projects) – jhughes _at_ sparkprojects.com.au
- Prof. Tuan Ngo and Dr. Behzad Rismanchi (University of Melbourne) – rndbi.org