Green Concrete: Contribution of the Latest Technologies to Sustainability,Energy Cost and Carbon Footprint

摘要

The application of green concrete in construction practices is being widely discussed and eagerly specified. Still, green concrete is at the very early stages of implementation qnd controversially executed at certain projects. Reducing the carbon footprint, cutting energy cost and intending sustainability are the main aspects of green concrete. This paper addresses three advanced methods used to enhance the those aspects and achieve the most economical green concrete. Those three practices are replacing cement with supplementary cementituous materials (SCM), monitoring the early heat of hydration and controlling water content. Supplementary cementituous material, being a bi-product, plays major role in replacing the cement to reduce the carbon emission and enhance concrete durability. Supplementary cementituous material will also reduce the initial heat of hydration of the concrete at early stages. Monitoring this process is of high importance and balancing it with the optimum quantity of this material is of major concern. Finally, water is scarce. Continuous control of water at all production stages will assure concrete quality and consistency.