Hi, I’m Kieran Brown, I am currently in my final year at Western Sydney University studying a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours). I currently work as a Junior Project Manager in the construction industry, gaining valuable experience delivering a range of projects. Outside of work and study, I enjoy camping, playing sport, going to the gym, and spending time with mates. I like staying active and being outdoors, which helps me keep a good balance between work, study, and life. I’m passionate about the construction industry and look forward to continuing to grow my career after graduation.

Kieran Brown

 

Thesis Title: Offsetting Coal Emissions: Energy vs Concrete Production, Analysis and Quantification This study focuses on the offsetting of coal emissions by analysing the relationship between energy generation and concrete production, whilst researching and identifying alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) that can help reduce both carbon emissions and energy demand in the manufacturing process. The research looks into alternative SCMs such as natural zeolite, metakaolin, and limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), investigating their environmental performance, production energy requirements, and long-term viability as cement replacements. The research also focuses on the use of experimental work, testing and analysing the use of Natural Zeolite as a SCM. The aim of this research is to explore sustainable alternatives to fly ash in cement production, while looking into how these alternative materials can compete with cement in durability, accessibility, and long-term viability. To ensure the aim can be achieved, the following objectives must be accomplished: 1. Research and identify alternative materials that can replace fly ash in concrete production. 2. Research the sustainability and performance of the alternative materials for concrete production. 3. Research the benefits of using certain alternative materials and how they can improve sustainability while reducing CO₂ emissions. 4. Provide recommendations to the concrete industry on using research-backed sustainable alternative materials to replace cement and fly ash in concrete production. By comparing energy use, emission outputs and the manufacture of SCMs, this study is expected to provide an outcome that will deliver evidence-based recommendations to the industry and help Australia shift towards low-carbon, energy-efficient concrete production