Probabilistic Embodied Carbon Assessments for Alkali-Activated Concrete Materials

Nouf Almonayea, Natividad Garcia-Troncoso, Bowen Xu and Dan V. Bompa ()
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Nouf Almonayea: School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Natividad Garcia-Troncoso: School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Bowen Xu: Department of Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
Dan V. Bompa: School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: This study evaluates the environmental impact of alkali-activated concrete materials (AACMs) as alternatives to conventional concrete. The influence of binder and activator content and type, along with other mix parameters, is analysed using a probabilistic embodied carbon assessment on a large dataset that includes 580 mixes. Using a cradle-to-gate approach with region-specific life-cycle inventory data, emissions are analysed against binder intensity, activator-to-binder and water-to-binder ratios, and fresh/mechanical properties. A multicriteria assessment quantifies the best-performing mix in terms of embodied carbon, compressive strength, and slump. AACM environmental impact is compared to conventional concrete through existing classification schemes and literature. AACM emissions vary between 41 and 261 kgCO 2 eq/m 3 , with activators contributing the most (3–198 kgCO 2 eq/m 3 ). Uncertainty in transport-related emissions could shift these values by ±38%. AACMs can achieve up to four-fold less emissions for high-strength materials compared to conventional concrete, although this benefit decreases with lower mechanical properties. AACM environmental sustainability depends on activator characteristics, curing, mix design, and transportation.

Keywords: alkali-activated concrete materials (AACMs); embodied carbon; compressive strength; workability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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