Dr Alastair Marsh

Profile

I am a Research Fellow in the School of Civil Engineering with a focus on alkali-activated construction materials. I am a member of the MUSE (Multi-scale engineering of alkali-activated concretes for sustainable infrastructure) project team led by Prof Susan Bernal Lopez, using innovative processing and characterisation methods to develop a new generation of low impact cementitious binders.

Prior to joining the University of Leeds, I undertook PhD research at the University of Bath in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering. My thesis investigated the alkali activation of clays and soils for use in construction, with a focus on housing in less econonically developed countries. As part of his PhD, he undertook a research placement at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Before this, I worked in the Sustainability & Physics group of BuroHappold Engineering, undertaking BREEAM environmental building assessments and energy modelling. I undertook my undergraduate degree in Materials Science at the University of Oxford.

Research interests

My research centres on:

• solid state characterisation of novel cementitious materials
• the use of clays, soils and other novel precursors in alkali activation
• the development of novel processing methods for precursors.

• Engineered UK clays for production of low-carbon cements

Qualifications

• PhD (Civil Engineering)
• MEng (Materials Science)

Professional memberships

• RILEM
• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
• Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland