Ecological and technological effects of using concretes with low Portland clinker

Abstract

Concrete with a low Portland clinker content involves the use of mineral additives as a cement component or as a additive in a concrete mix. The main factors influencing the increasing use of mineral additives in concrete technology are the advantageous development of the functional properties of the concrete mix, hardened concrete and a large impact on the ecological effects, including reduction of CO2 emissions. The use of concrete with a low Portland clinker content is part of the strategy for sustainable development of the economy. This paper describes the technological and ecological effects of using silica fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag additives in concretes with a low Portland clinker content. The cement and concrete additives used were mechanically activated, which allowed to reduce the content of Portland clinker in concrete. A new generation superplasticizer was used in the research, enabling a low water-cement ratio to be obtained. The mechanical properties and ecological effects of the production and use of concretes with a low content of Portland clinker were determined, including the reduction of CO2 emissions. Test results confirmed the very good mechanical properties of concrete with a high content of mechanically activated mineral additives. The research also showed an average of 3 times lower CO2 emissions compared to reference concretes made of CEM I Portland cement without additives.