Project

Carbonation performance of concrete with recycled aggregates and hybrid binders

Code
3G045520
Duration
01 January 2020 → 31 December 2023
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Construction materials
Keywords
concrete hybrid binders carbonation
 
Project description

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with concrete production represent about 5% of the total volume of anthropogenic emissions Eco-efficiency of concrete can be achieved through partial replacement of Portland cement by supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and by utilizing recycled aggregates The amount of SCMs that can be used in concrete production is limited; however, it can be increased when alkaline additives (referred to as activators) are added to these systems The long term performance of recycled aggregate concrete based on hybrid cements, comprising high volumes of SCM, an alkali-activator and minor fractions of Portland cement, is largely unknown, due to the novelty of these systems Confidence in these concrete types will only be achieved if their durability is evaluated and validated in potentially threatening environmental service conditions This project focuses on the design of eco-efficient concrete based on recycled aggregates and hybrid cements, with the aim to improve the resistance against carbonation in contact with atmospheric CO2, which is a major cause of reinforcement corrosion in concrete structures The final aim is to elucidate the existing relation between the microstructural features of hybrid cement pastes, their response when exposed to CO2, and the consequent changes in the transport properties of concrete, to create novel guidelines for the production of eco-efficient and resilient hybrid concretes