Ehsaan Laskar

Profile

I am a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leeds, working on low-carbon concrete with calcined clays under the supervision of Prof. Leon Black, Dr. Yuvaraj Dhandapani and Dr. Hisham Hafez. As part of the EUREKA project, my research focuses on developing sustainable cement using locally available clay and limestone to reduce the carbon footprint of construction. I hold an MSc in Engineering Project Management from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Assam Science and Technology University. Prior to my PhD, I worked for three years as a Project Manager, specialising in the construction of electrical substations across Northeast India.

Research interests

My research focuses on exploring alternative Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) for concrete, with an emphasis on using low-grade, non-kaolinitic clays. In response to the increasing demand for concrete and the urgency to reduce carbon emissions, I investigate the potential of locally sourced, low-grade clays as sustainable substitutes for conventional SCMs such as slag and fly ash.

Through a multi-phase approach, my work examines the reactivity of various clays, their synergy with binders, and the resulting fresh, mechanical, and transport properties. I also study the durability mechanisms of calcined clay concrete, particularly its resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and carbonation, which are key to developing long-lasting, sustainable concrete systems.