Results
The Centre has developed a number of solutions that can be put
directly to use by the industry, both with regards to the
composition of green types of concrete, and the application of
green types of concrete, and the application of green types of
concrete.
Green composition of concrete
The Centre's work covers concrete for large civil structures as
well as for housing. The Centre has shown that, in general, it is
possible to produce green types of concrete for both applications
that meet the requirements normally made for traditional
concrete
- The Centre has documented that some types of concrete can be
produced with a reduction in CO2 emissions of 30% or more. This
reduction in CO2 emissions can be achieved by replacing relatively
large quantities of the cement with fly ash, and by using types of
cement that require less energy to produce
- The Centre has developed new types of concrete that reuse some
of the concrete industry's own residual products, such as stone
dust from the production of crushed aggregate, and concrete slurry
from washing concrete mixing plants and trucks
- The Centre has developed new types of concrete where it is
possible to reuse residual products from other industries, such as
ash from the combustion of sewage sludge and biofuels
- The Centre has helped to introduce a new type of cement that
leaves less impact on the environment. This is achieved by such
means as using 18% renewable fuels instead of coal.
Green application of concrete
The Centre has worked with various strategies for making concrete
constructions more environmentally friendly. Besides the use of
green types of concrete this includes
- Changes in the structural design (such as bridge decks without
asphalt or moisture barrier)
- The use of various operation and maintenance strategies
(stainless steel or traditional black reinforcement).
The strategies help to reduce the impact on the environment
throughout the service life of the construction. This has been
shown by lifecycle analyses carried out by the Centre.