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
STEM ambassadors needed for ICE CityZen award.
Digital game and video competition for UK students aged 16 to 18.
Heritage protection in England vs Australia.
Fire doors and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections
UN International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.
The role of geoparks, biospheres and world heritage sites.
BSRIA conference 2022, June 23.
Just one month to go ! Find out more here.
Restoring Broadbent’s Bath House
A new gallery for the University of Huddersfield.
Corruption in the construction industry.
What will it take to stop it ?
To celebrate world bee day 2022 !
Just one month until the changes to part L come into effect.
Not forgetting part F and the new part overheating part O.
Heat Pump demand rises by one quarter.
As energy prices jump up in cost.
With people in the UK from Ukraine.
Industry leader Steve Murray takes on role.
An abundant and versatile building material.
How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
600,000 heat pump installations targeted per year by 2028.
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.
ICE debate Public transport - post pandemic.
How has transport changed due to Covid-19 ?
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?
Share your knowledge with the industry.
Create an account and write the first of many articles.
The green jobs delivery group.
CIAT commentary after the first meeting.
Liverpool's world heritage site status
Who is to blame?
Research recommends focussing on portfolio success rather than project success.