Clinker in construction
Broadly, clinker refers to a stony residue resulting from burning coal or from a furnace. It is a common component of aggregates, Portland cement, brickwork, blockwork, paving and so on.
Archaeological Evidence for Glassworking, Guidelines for Recovering, Analysing and Interpreting Evidence, published by Historic England in 2018, describes clinker as: ‘A fused material produced at high temperatures, here used to describe the waste from coal-fired glass furnaces.’
Low Carbon Concrete Routemap, Setting the agenda for a path to net zero, draft for consultation published by the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2021, defines clinker as: ‘A nodular material made by heating limestone and clay at a temperature of about 1,400C-1,500C. It is the basic ingredient of Portland cement, the one that confers hydraulic properties to cement.’
UK Concrete and Cement Industry, Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero, published by MPA UK Concrete in 2020, defines clinker as: ‘the principle constituent of cement, clinker is produced by heating raw materials such as limestone with other materials such as clay to 1450°C. Its manufacture is typically the most energy and emissions intensive part of cement and concrete production.’
The term ‘clinker built’ refers to a method of boat building in which the planks that make up the hull overlap. This is also referred to as lapstrake.
Its originates from the word 'clink' or 'clench', ie clenching together, or fusing.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: CIOB Academy.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
Industry Competence Committee.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.