High-Performance Concrete for Green Construction

Abstract

Concrete is a widely used construction material. However, the production of concrete for new buildings and the eventual demolition of old buildings generate a large carbon footprint that causes global warming and a large volume of solid waste that uses up valuable landfill space. In order to mitigate these problems, there is a pressing need to reduce the consumption of concrete and extend the service life of concrete buildings. For such purposes, the authors have been advocating the usage of more high-performance concrete (HPC), which has higher strength, durability and workability than normal concrete. The higher strength could reduce the volume of concrete needed whereas the higher durability could extend the service life of concrete buildings. In this regard, there is often the misunderstanding that HPC, which usually contains more cementitious materials, would generate a larger carbon footprint. Herein, life-cycle analysis of the carbon footprint of concrete construction is conducted to demonstrate that although HPC tends to have a higher cementitious material content per unit volume, due to the reduced volume of concrete needed and the extended service life of buildings, its carbon footprint is actually much lower.