An Analysis on Various Strategies to Reduce the Environmental Effect of Concrete Products |

ABSTRACT:

Nowadays concrete is the most common building material inthe world. Buildings are responsible for more than 25 % of global carbondioxide emissions in France.With the new regulations, the concrete industry must limit the emissions ofgreenhouse gases. Thermal conductivity and mechanical strength were testedon lightweight concrete samples. These measurements, in parallel with the studyof environmental data led to the conclusion that wood aggregates present an interest for the environment and should be the object ofdeeper research. CERIB is currently considering the possibility of applying fora patent on some other innovative solutions examined in this research. One strategy to make concrete ‘greener’ constructionmaterial is to utilize fly ash, either as partial or total substitute forPortland cement in concrete. This attempt results in twofold benefits, i.e. toprovide a solution with regard to the concern on the carbon dioxide emissionfrom Portland cement production, and to provide way to effectively use fly ash.Fly ash, the byproduct material from burning coal especially in power stations,is available abundantly worldwide. Its availability is increasing and yet itsutilization to date is still very low. Without proper plan, the management of fly ash may incurcost, and potentially harm the natural environment as well. This paperdiscusses the technology and the current progress of research on utilizing flyash in concrete.