German-Ghanian INFRACOST project for sustainable building

The provision of infrastructure such as bridges and roads is fundamental to economic development in West Africa, as it is the world over. However, high temperatures, high humidity, the coastal climate along the main transport routes, and regular flooding pose serious threats to such assets. Their failure would have serious economic consequences in Ghana and its neighbouring countries. INFRACOST evaluates the structural condition of system-relevant infrastructure assets and develops maintenance concepts that can ensure their continued functional integrity. INFRACOST is a joint project in which MC-Bauchemie works together with various project partners. While the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is investigating and evaluating the use of local raw materials together with the University of Ghana, MC-Bauchemie Ghana is developing and testing application-oriented decision-making aids and innovative building materials designed to also benefit the local Ghanaian value chains in the maintenance and repair of infrastructure assets. Also involved in this project is an array of other partners such as local universities, trade associations and governmental agencies. Now in its fourth year, the project is managed by Dr. Wolfram Schmidt of the BAM.

Local solutions to global problems of the building sector

The focus is on developing concretes optimised for increased life expectancy for new build projects, together with structurally strengthening mortars for repair and refurbishment work. To make the respective technologies more sustainable, the INFRACOST project consortium is developing them primarily on the basis of locally available raw materials, including organic and mineral by-products from other processes. In Ghana, agricultural residues such as cassava peels and waste from cocoa production have a particularly important role to play in this respect. Since knowledge and technology transfer are also essential elements of this project, INFRACOST promotes and provides university courses not just for students but also for industrial company and public authority personnel, as well as practical training for users and planners. Moreover, a handbook for advisers and political decision-makers has also been developed to provide key guidance and recommendations. To cement and consolidate the process of knowledge transfer, the research results and technologies have been directly applied as part of a pilot repair campaign involving the Saglemi Bridge in cooperation with the Ghana Highway Authority. Looking forward, it is expected that the project will give a significant boost to improving Ghana’s infrastructure.

About CLIENT II

Through its funding initiative “CLIENT II - International Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation”, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports demand-oriented research cooperation with selected emerging and developing countries. The international collaboration projects develop solutions in the areas of climate, environment, resources and energy that contribute to overcoming specific challenges identified in the partner countries. Adopting innovative and sustainable methodologies, each CLIENT II project promotes the implementation of a selection of viable sustainable development goals (SDGs). For further information, please visit the CLIENT II - International Partnerships for Sustainable Innovations website.