Helani Kumarawadu

RMIT University

PhD candidate

PhD topic: Using waste clay and nano-aluminium oxide in a ternary cement binder system for carbon sequestration

This project focuses on developing low-carbon concrete by incorporating calcined waste clay as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) and nano-Al₂O₃ to reduce cement consumption and associated CO₂ emissions in Australia. The study aims to optimize the use of waste clay (targeting a 30% cement replacement) and nano-Al₂O₃ (to enhance early-age strength and pore structure) while addressing the challenges of reduced early strength in clay-blended concrete. Key focus areas include material characterization, calcination parameter optimization, mix design development, and assessing CO₂ resistance through curing and microstructural analysis. The research seeks to improve mechanical performance, reduce porosity, and explore applications in CO₂ sequestration, contributing to sustainable construction and waste utilization.