About

Associate Professor in Mineral Products Technology (Associate Part-time)

Teaches Clay Technology Programmes

Chairman TC125 Masonry Products (CEN/TC125 is a European Standards Technical Committee responsible for the development and publication of European Standards, both Test Methods and Product Standards, for Masonry Construction Materials; Bricks, Blocks (Clay, Concrete, Calcium Silicate, Aerated Concrete, Manufactured Stone, Natural Stone), Mortar, Ancillary Components.

Teaching responsibilities

Professional interests

• Mineral Product based Construction/Building Materials Manufacturing and Use
• Industrial Mineralogy, Applied Geology, Analytical Techniques
• Research & Technical Development in Construction Products
• Sustainability and Resource Efficiency

Research interests

• Construction Products - assessment of raw materials, including secondary and alternative raw materials/recycling
• Sustainability, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency
• Construction Product failure assessment and investigation
• Construction Products in Forensic Investigations - Civil and Criminal Cases 

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the Geological Society of London
• Fellow of the Institute of Quarrying
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Council Member of the International Masonry Society

Qualifications

• BSc Joint Hons - Geology & Physical Geography (University of Hull)
• MSc Industrial Mineralogy (University of Hull)
• PhD The role of quartz bearing aggregates in the alkali-silica reaction in concrete. (University of Leicester)
• PGCertHE (University of Derby)
• CUEW Cardiff University Expert Witness Certificate in association with Bond Solon

Recent conferences

• 13th Canadian Masonry Symposium - Halifax NS 2017
• 16^th International Brick & Block Masonry Conference, Padua, Italy 2016
• 9^th International Masonry Conference, Guimaraes, Portugal 2014

Experience in industry

Industry Representation (Committees)

Construction Products Association (CPA) Resource Efficiency Forum (Chairman 2014-15)

Member of the Stone Federation of Great Britain Technical Committee (2008-2015)

BSI Technical Committee CB/30 Construction Products Advisory Committee (2014 -)

BSI Technical Committee B557 Regulated Dangerous Substances in Construction Products. (2005 -)

BSI Technical Committee B519 Masonry Products (2002 -)

BSI Technical Committee B519/WG4 Test methods for Masonry Products and Mortars. (2002 -)

Brick Development Association’s Brick, Mortar and Paver Standards Working Party. (1997 – 2015)

Brick Development Association’s Sustainability Working Party. (2008 -)

Geological Society of London - Accreditation Committee (2015 -)

Career

Head of Materials Development

Forterra Building Products Ltd

Jan 2020 - present

Head of Sustainability & Construction Materials 

Lucideon Ltd

Aug 2012 – Sept 2015

Principal Consultant

Sustainability & Construction Materials

Ceram Group

Sept 2008 – Aug 2012

Materials Group Manager

Ceram Building Technology

Sept 2003 – Sept 2008

Technical & Research Manager

Ceram Building Technology

Apr 2002 – Sept 2003

Head of Research & Technical Development

Hanson Bricks Europe

Aug 1999 – Feb 2002

Research & Development Manager

Hanson Brick Ltd

Jun 1997 – Aug 1999

International experience

European Standards & International Research Groups

Chair of TC 125 Masonry Products (European Standards Committee).

TC 125/WG4.  Test Methods for Masonry Products and Mortar.

TC125/CG/TG2.  Regulated Dangerous Substances – Masonry Products Task Group

TC 351/WG1.  Regulated Dangerous Substances in Construction Products (2007-2012)

Tile & Bricks Europe (TBE) LCA Working Party.

TBE Regulated Dangerous Substances Working Party.

European Lime Association (EuLA) Technical Working Party Member

Recent publications

Smith, A.S., 2017 Evaluation of Atypical sulfate attack or a new form of mortar deterioration. Proceedings of the 13^th Canadian Masonry Symposium, Halifax, NS, Canada

Smith, A.S., 2016 Freeze-thaw durability of cement-lime-sand mortars. Proceedings of the 16^th International Brick & Block Masonry Conference, Padua, Italy

Smith, A.S. & Edgell, G. J., 2016. Development of a masonry mortar freeze-thaw laboratory test method and the performance of CEM II mortar masonry panels. Proceedings of the 16th International Brick & Block Masonry Conference, Padua, Italy

Smith, A.S., Verhelst, F., Denayer, C., Givens, R. 2014 Quantifying the benefits of lime additions in cement based mortars.  Proceedings of the 9^th International Masonry Conference, Guimaraes, Portugal.

Smith, A.S., Verhelst, F., Denayer, C., Givens, R. 2013 Hydrated lime additions to cement mortars; quantifying the benefits to mortar durability in masonry structures. Proceedings of the 13^th Canadian Masonry Symposium, Vancouver, Canada.