Low carbon concrete evaluation for Gatwick Airport

Overview

Gatwick Airport commissioned BRE to evaluate current low carbon concrete solutions for a range of potential airport applications, updating the resources that BRE had developed as part of a 2019 study for Heathrow. Working alongside the teams in Gatwick, BRE technical experts, in specialist fields including concrete and sustainability, conducted a complex multivariant analysis. This provided Gatwick with a comprehensive, thoroughly researched directory of low-carbon concrete alternatives to assist them in reducing the carbon impact of future construction at the airport.

Challenges

The landscape and market around low carbon concrete technology is constantly evolving, due to new innovations and material developments, alongside shifts in carbon regulations and updates in building codes and incentives. It is also key to consider changes to supply chains and the availability of materials which have historically been used for carbon reduction in concrete. It can be a challenge for large infrastructure clients, who want to support adoption of innovation, to ensure they are choosing the most appropriate technology, which will have the most commercial and environmental benefits while also meeting the specific application’s technical requirements. The direct comparison of effective, technologically developed solutions gives designers the tools to make the best choice for their project.

Our Solution

Through client interactive sessions and a unique combination of independent expertise in concrete technology, construction process, sustainability and environmental impact, BRE developed and conducted a process for shortlisting low carbon concrete technologies and their suitability for use.

BRE conducted a comprehensive review of:

Cement replacements/supplementary cementitious materials
Aggregates (natural and manufactured)
Admixtures and additives

Each product was evaluated against Gatwick’s commercial priorities and project requirements. Technologies were benchmarked against conventional cement products to assess:

Environmental impact
Technical performance
Commercial viability

BRE’s concrete experts assessed each technology solution for suitability in airport applications, referencing both British Standards, codes and Gatwick-specific criteria. The result was a curated shortlist of viable innovations tailored to Gatwick’s needs, giving them the following benefits and outcomes.

Outcomes

Access to an expert-reviewed and updatable directory of low carbon concrete alternatives.
Information to support the airport’s wider low carbon construction ambition.
Findings to enable informed decision-making for future construction projects.
A means to promote awareness of emerging technologies and their practical applications in aviation infrastructure.