Events

Cementing environmental gains

Available until 19 February 2021

Concrete is the most widely used man-made material in existence – second only to water as the most-consumed resource on the planet.  The key ingredient, cement, is estimated to produce about 8% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and as we grapple with a climate emergency it’s vital we consider options which are more environmentally friendly.

RSUA has organised this one and a half hour seminar in partnership with Ecocem Ireland to provide insight into the current challenges and possible opportunities to achieve more sustainable construction.  This seminar will set out the challenges around concrete/cement and its carbon impacts followed by an explanation of the role partial cement replacements such as Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag can play in delivering a lower carbon footprint and achieving more sustainable buildings. 

Course content

This seminar will cover the following topics:

• Welcome
• Introduction by Dr Byran Magee on current environmental challenges of concrete / cement
• The technical advantages of GGBS in concrete 
• The role of GGBS in architectural concrete 
• Lowering embodied carbon in the built environment using low carbon cements
• Specifying and using GGBS in your project
• Q&A (time allowing)

Speaker info

Dr Bryan Magee is a previous chair of the NI Concrete Society and a Lecturer in Construction Materials within Ulster University’s School of the Built Environment (2013-present). A chartered civil engineer and concrete technologist, Bryan has worked as an educationalist, researcher and policy-maker in the field of civil/structural engineering for over 20 years.

Susan McGarry is managing director of Ecocem Ireland.  She previously held a variety of roles with the company including the positions of European Sustainability Manager, Environmental Manager and Technical Development Manager. Prior to this she was a lecturer at the Technological University Dublin. Susan trained as a civil engineer and holds a master’s degree in engineering management