UAE Energy: The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and United Arab Emirates University accelerate their efforts to develop innovative, ecofriendly, and sustainable concrete for structural applications in the UAE.

We are proud and pleased to announce that Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is expanding its research area in engineering infrastructure and buildings of concrete, with the signing of two agreements with United Arab Emirates University to develop economical and sustainable structural engineering solutions that are aligned with UAE Vision 2021 and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.

H.E. Eng. Hassan Almansoori, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs and Prof. Ghaleb Alhadrami Albreiki, Acting Vice Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University signed the cooperation agreements and funding for two research projects between the ministry and the university. The collaboration aims to develop and produce innovative, sustainable, and environment-friendly concrete for structural applications. Civil engineering infrastructure development in the UAE and the gulf region represents substantial investments, in the order of billions of dollars. Engineering solutions to protect such investments are explored in the form of innovative research in structures and materials.

The first innovative research project aims to develop concrete capable of self-healing with limited to no external interventions in order to protect the substantial investment in concrete infrastructure in the UAE and the world. Self-healing concrete is considered an innovative, green, and cost-effective solution that would minimize the maintenance cost and prolong the service life of civil engineering infrastructure.

The second research project aims to investigate the potential replacement of natural aggregates by recycled concrete aggregates obtained from construction and demolition waste to produce innovative and sustainable basalt fiber-reinforced recycled aggregates concrete for structural applications. The inclusion of basalt fibers in recycled aggregates concrete would prolong the service life and reduce the maintenance cost. Development of such concrete would contribute to the advancement of the concept of circular economy through the recycling of construction and demolition waste and reduction in the consumption of natural resources.

The period for completing these two projects and issuing the corresponding recommendations is two years, therefore, by 2023 outcomes of these projects would help the country to adopt more flexible and sustainable infrastructure, in preparation for the inevitable effects of climate change on the infrastructure. Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and United Arab Emirates University are proud to launch these two unique projects. In line with the national agenda, the ministry’s endeavor to build a sustainable environment and infrastructure through these two projects represents a huge commitment towards sustainable practices.

Commenting on the projects, H.E. Eng. Hassan Almansoori, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs, Ministry of energy and Infrastructure said:

“These two important projects represent many of our core beliefs and visions. The need to work closely together both public sector and academia to focus on innovation and continuous development of our strategies and solutions and most importantly to look towards building better tomorrow than we did yesterday, environmentally, economically, and socially. As a government authority we must lead by example and more than ever before, we have a responsibility to put sustainable practices at the forefront of our projects “.

Prof. Ghaleb Alhadrami Albreiki, the Acting Vice Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University said:

As the nation’s flagship university, UAEU is very pleased to participate in these projects in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. UAEU is becoming a dynamic institute with a wide range of interdisciplinary scholarly activities. Our top research teams and scientists will provide their expertise through a strong international network of specialists. UAEU is committed to the national vision, particularly through action in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) as recently seen in the Impact Rankings. These outcomes of projects will demonstrate UAEU’s commitment to improving the future of our local community as well as the advancement of society in general in the face of global challenges.