Intern Building Materials & Circular Economy Department / laboratory

Introduction :

Are you passionate about sustainability and eager to make a real impact in the construction industry? Join us in enhancing the production of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC), a cutting-edge building material renowned for its lightweight, thermal insulation, and sound absorption properties. Our mission is to develop a testing protocol that validates new lime-based solutions, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of AAC production.

Project Overview :

AAC production currently relies on cement and lime, contributing to global CO2 emissions. In this internship, you'll dive into the crucial foaming phase of AAC production, where aluminum and lime react to create a network of bubbles, giving AAC its unique properties. Your challenge will be to ensure these materials work in perfect harmony, avoiding issues like shrinkage or cracks.

Why This Matters :

With the shift to composite Portland cement, AAC performance has faced challenges. You'll explore innovative solutions, such as increasing binder content, using water-reducing agents, or opting for faster-reacting lime. Your work will help overcome these constraints and costs, paving the way for sustainable practices in AAC production.

Your Role :

• Literature Review :  Conduct a comprehensive review of existing AAC designs, properties, and raw materials.
• Methodology :  Develop a testing protocol to assess foaming properties and final characteristics of AAC materials. You'll meticulously select and characterize raw materials, creating a reference AAC recipe to evaluate new lime-based compositions.
• Expected Results :  Discover positive correlations between new lime-based compositions and foaming properties, providing guidelines for low-carbon footprint lime formulations.
• Conclusion :  Your research will contribute significantly to reducing the carbon footprint of AAC production, supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability targets. While this project focuses on the foaming phase, future research could explore AAC block performance after the autoclaving phase.

Information about the internship :

Studies :   Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering Sciences, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Location :   Seilles, Belgium

Duration  :   at least 3 months

Unpaid Internship

Why Join Us?

This internship offers a unique opportunity to work on innovative solutions that address global environmental challenges. You'll gain hands-on experience in sustainable construction practices, collaborate with industry experts, and contribute to groundbreaking research.

Apply Now :

If you're an enthusiastic student ready to make a difference, apply today and be part of our journey towards a greener future!