Techniques to lower carbon footprint in producing, transporting, and laying concrete mixtures

Introduction. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere over the past 70–80 years has been showing steady growth. A key contributor to this increase is the manufacturing of concrete building materials and structures, for which cement is the primary component. One of the advance solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the construction sector may be the use of modified concrete in structures. The purpose of this study is to analyze the processes of concrete mix production in terms of carbon dioxide emissions at each stage, as well as to select the composition of the modified concrete mix to reduce these emissions. Methods and Materials. The assessment of the carbon intensity of the components of the concrete mixture and the stages of its life cycle has been carried out. Processes related to CO2 emissions include production, transportation of raw materials and production of concrete mix. Results and Discussion. The data analysis demonstrates the dominant contribution of cement production to the total carbon footprint of raw materials. A comparative assessment of the carbon intensity of various formulations revealed a significant potential for the use of mineral additives to reduce it. A comprehensive analysis of the properties of modified concrete served as the basis for the development of a detailed technological scheme for its production. Conclusion. The partial replacement of Portland cement with carbon-inert materials such as fly ash, microsilicon and nanosilicon can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the final product.