An AI driven multi-species transport modelling of mineral carbonation in recycled concrete powder incorporated cement-based materials.

Encadrants:

Syed Yasir ALAM, GeM-Ecole Centrale Nantes.

Zengfeng ZHAO - Research Professor, Tongji University, China

Location GeM, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France

https://www.ec-nantes.fr/english-version/research/research-institute-in-civil-and-mechanical-engineering-gem

https://gem.ec-nantes.fr

Carbon sequestration in cement-based materials has emerged as a critical pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector. Among the various strategies, the integration of recycled concrete powder (RCP) as a partial cement replacement offers dual benefits: recycling construction and demolition waste while reducing reliance on clinker.

RCP, containing unhydrated cement particles and hydration products, presents a unique opportunity for enhanced carbon sequestration through both early-age carbon curing and long-term carbonation. Recent research has extensively investigated the feasibility of early-age carbonation curing for concrete densification. In the long term, carbonation continues to impact the performance of RCP-blended binder systems. Residual unreacted phases in RCP and the altered microstructure from early-age curing may lead to progressive carbonation under environmental exposure, further contributing to CO₂ sequestration.

Reactive transport modeling offers a powerful approach to understanding the interplay between chemical reactions, mass transport, and microstructural changes during carbonation. These models simulate coupled processes involving the dissolution of hydration products, precipitation of carbonates and the evolution of porosity and transport properties. This provides insights into material microstructure and durability performance under early age carbon curing and long-term carbonation conditions.

This internship aims to develop a reactive transport modeling framework to study the carbonation processes in carbon-cured cement-based systems containing recycled concrete powder. By simulating the interactions between CO₂ and the cement matrix, the research seeks to optimize the carbonation process for enhanced material properties and sustainability.

The model will be validated by using experimental data (from Tongji University) or benchmarks from the literature. The validation step is critical for ensuring the reliability and applicability of the developed model to real conditions.

Masters 2/Bac+5 general engineering/civil engineering/mechanics with motivation towards sustainable construction materials. Interest in modelling and material characterization. Motivated to work in a multidisciplinary environment. Excellent oral and written communication skills.