Equivalent CO2 Emission and Cost Analysis of Green Self-Compacting Rubberized Concrete

Global warming and climate changes are the major environmental challenges globally. With CO2 emission being one of the main greenhouse gases emitted to the environment, and cement and concrete production amounting to about 10% of the global CO2 emission, there is a need for the construction industry to utilize an environmentally sustainable material as an alternative to cement. This study analyzed the cost, CO2 emission and strength properties of green self-compacting concrete (SCC) ternary blend containing fly ash, calcium carbide residue (CCR), and crumb rubber (CR) as a replacement material by volume of cement, cementitious material, and fine aggregate, respectively. Cement was replaced with fly ash at 0% and 40% by volume. CCR was used as a replacement at 5% and 10% by volume of cementitious materials, CR replaced fine aggregate in proportions of 10% and 20% by volume. The result indicated that the mix with 0% fly ash and 20% CR replacement of fine aggregate was the most expensive and had the highest CO2 emission. However, the mix with 10% CR, 40% fly ash, and 10% CCR had the lowest CO2 emission and was therefore the greenest SCC mix. The 28-day maximum compressive strength of 45 MPa was achieved in a mix with 0% CR, 0% fly ash, and 10% CCR, while the utmost 28-day splitting tensile strength of 4.1 MPa was achieved with a mix with 10% CR, 0% fly ash, and 5% CCR, and the highest flexural strength at 28 days was 6.7 MPa and was also obtained in a mix with 0% CR, 0% fly ash, and 5% CCR. In conclusion, a green SCC can be produced by substituting 40% cement with fly ash, 10% fine aggregate with CR, and 10% CCR as a replacement by volume of cementitious material, which is highly affordable and has an acceptable strength as recommended for conventional SCC.

Automated summary

The study suggests that green self-compacting concrete can be produced by substituting 40% of cement with fly ash, 10% of fine aggregate with crumb rubber, and 10% of calcium carbide residue as a replacement for cementitious materials. This approach results in lower CO2 emissions and acceptable strength levels for conventional SCC.