Laboratory for Construction Materials in a Sustainable Society

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Laboratory Overview

Laboratory Objectives

We position construction materials as a technology for solving social issues, and we develop new materials in collaboration with agriculture and chemistry researchers, working beyond the boundaries of civil engineering and architecture. Our mission elements are: prevention of disasters; maintaining the living environment through the rapid development of reliable infrastructure; securing the supply of resources for concrete raw materials; and solving the problem of post-use waste disposal.

Research Direction and Future Prospects

Our laboratory has three main research pillars. The common aspect of the above three research elements is the improvement of the functionality of concrete using carbon dioxide, in other words, creating practical-use embodiments of carbon neutrality.

Generalization of self-compacting concrete;

Utilizing the latest chemical technology, we are developing technology to reduce the amount of cement required in the mixing of self-compacting concrete (which fills formworks by the action of gravity alone), and increase the proportion of sand and gravel. This study aims to make self-compacting concrete a general-purpose material, of great importance for solving the problem of labor shortages at construction sites.

Practical application of wood ash concrete made only from wood ash

We are creating highly practical concrete materials through the use of wood combustion ash as a main component, to support the return of used concrete to the soil at the end of its lifetime.

Establishment of a material circulation cycle for current cement and concrete

We will establish a material circulation cycle for concrete by using biological materials, which will lead to the solution of mineral resource supply and waste treatment problems.