Guest Presentation:  Material Strategies for Net-Zero Concrete and insights into Concrete Carbonation 

Material Strategies for Net-Zero Concrete and insights into Concrete Carbonation 

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 in SF1009, Sandford Fleming Building

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Charlotte Thiel
OTH Regensburg, Civil Engineering Department

Abstract
This talk introduces strategies for reducing the environmental footprint of concrete through innovative binder systems, alternative supplementary cementicious materials, carbon capure and storage technologies  and life cycle optimization. As a specific example, recent research on how CO₂ pressure and internal moisture content affect the pore structure of cement-based materials during carbonation is presented. These insights highlight how durability and CO₂ mineralization can be combined to create more climate-resilient concrete systems.

Biography
Charlotte Thiel is a Professor of Building Materials at OTH Regensburg. Her work focuses on the intersection of material innovation and environmental life cycle assessment, with the goal of developing low-emission and high-performance construction materials. She leads interdisciplinary projects in the fields of carbon-efficient concrete, earthen materials, circular building strategies, and automated construction methods. She is also active in academic governance and committed to integrating sustainability into teaching and applied research.