MAKING DOUBLE OF CONCRETE WITH SAME BINDER AMOUNT: TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS SAVING AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

Abstract eng:
Current loads from cement production make material responsible for 5-7% of CO2 emissions with more than 2x109 ton of CO2 emitted. Considering available industrial production data and forecast, in 2050 this percentage can reach 30% due to the production increase needed for supplying infrastructure on developing countries - more than 5x109 ton/year will be produced. Actions for decreasing CO2 emissions on cement production - mainly clinker replacement, kiln efficiency and alternative fuel - are not enough for a mitigation in satisfactory levels since industry efforts are already very effective, so emissions will still increase. The use of recycled materials as aggregates in concrete mixtures, another strategy considered sustainable, commonly increases cement consumption on mixes, affecting negatively the environmental load related with CO2 emissions, so it needs to be very carefully assessed. This paper proposes to develop new technologies for designing concrete mixtures with the aim of optimizing binder content in concrete. Comparing a benchmark from current binder consumption in concrete, market data and lab experimental data, it is possible to predict that at least 50% of binder content can be decreased in concrete, what could allow to produce double of concrete without increasing cement production, saving CO2 emissions at the same time that social issues related to developing countries demands would not be affected.

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