Less concrete in building design with the aid of AI

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials worldwide. The concrete industry contributes significantly to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for an estimated 8% of the world's total emissions, primarily due to the energy-intensive processes involved either in cement production or the chemical reactions occurring during concrete curing.

Cement, the primary constituent of concrete, results from heating limestone and other minerals at high temperatures in a kiln. This process often involves burning fossil fuels to generate the necessary heat, thereby releasing CO2. Emissions also arise during the transportation of raw materials to cement plants and the conveyance of concrete to construction sites, including emissions from trucks, ships, and other vehicles.

However, there may be a potential solution to mitigate these concrete emissions, thanks to the endeavors of Jackson Jewett, a student at MIT. Jewett is currently in the third year of his PhD program. His doctoral research builds upon his master's thesis, which concentrated on advancing algorithms aimed at designing concrete structures that use fewer materials, thereby reducing carbon.

Jewett is actively seeking resource-efficient components that can be employed in the construction of bridges and buildings. He employs computational power in this pursuit and considers additional constraints, particularly the necessity to maintain cost-effectiveness in manufacturing.

Jewett is actively seeking resource-efficient components that can be employed in the construction of bridges and buildings. He employs computational power in this pursuit and considers additional constraints, particularly the necessity to maintain cost-effectiveness in manufacturing.

The method proposed is referred as "topology optimization," which employs algorithms to craft structures meeting the performance requirements of buildings while minimizing the use of resources.  However, the method, in which Jewett works, is arduous and time-consuming. Jewett acknowledges, " It can take days or usually weeks to take a step toward making it work as an entire integrated system."

Before embarking on his PhD studies, Jewett had hands-on experience in the construction industry, working as a structural engineer in New York City for a year and a half. This experience equips him with the practical skills required to implement his innovations in real-world construction projects. He emphasizes the urgency of his work, while he aspires to continue exploring other materials and construction methods even after completing this project.