Development of an Integrated Modelling Platform for Predicting the Microstructure, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Carbon Dioxide-Mineralized Cementitious Materials for Net-Zero Construction

Reduction of CO2 emissions from the construction sector is critical for achieving net-zero goals and limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5 °C by mid-century. Concrete, one of the world’s most widespread construction materials, relies heavily on Portland cement, which emits approximately 1 ton of CO2 per ton produced. With global cement demand projected to increase from 4.1 Gt in 2020 to 6.0 Gt by 2050, the need for advanced and effective mitigation strategies is becoming increasingly urgent. To address this, a variety of innovative carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) solutions have been developed. Among these solutions, CO2 mineralization stands out as a promising pathway, as it converts carbon dioxide into stable mineral carbonates that can be directly incorporated into construction materials. This approach not only reduces emissions but also enhances material performance. To advance theoretical understanding of the mineralization process, this project proposes a novel integrated modelling platform that couples thermodynamic modelling with COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. This approach will enable reliable predictions of microstructural, mechanical, and durability properties during mineralization and will be extended to evaluate CO2-mineralized local waste materials for sustainable construction across Europe. After validation, the platform will directly benefit the cement and construction industry by reducing costs by up to 30–40% through minimized material testing and reduced reliance on trial-and-error experiments. At the same time, it will enable efficient utilization of captured CO2 in building materials, supporting net-zero construction. Furthermore, partial replacement of cement with locally available waste will reduce cement demand and mitigate disposal challenges by converting discarded materials into durable, value-added components for sustainable construction.