Abstract
An optimization system that supports the production of concrete while minimizing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions or costs is presented that incorporates an evolution algorithm for the materials’ mix design stage, a trigonometric function for the transportation stage, and a stochastic model for the manufacturing stage. A case study demonstrates that applying the optimization system reduced CO2 emissions by 34% compared to the standard concrete production processes typically used. When minimizing the cost of concrete production was prioritized, the cost dropped by 1% compared to the cost of conventional concrete production. These findings confirm that this optimization system helps with the design of the concrete mix and the choice of a material supplier, thus reducing both CO2 emissions and costs.
Highlights
The Korean government plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37% by 2030
This study focused on developing an optimization system, dubbed the concrete life cycle assessment system (CLAS), to recommend options to help minimize CO2 emissions and/or the costs incurred at every stage of the concrete production process
The CO2 emissions per m3 were 340.9 kg-CO2/m3 for the conventional input method, significantly more than the 225.8 kg-CO2/m3 obtained when minimizing the CO2 emissions was prioritized using the new optimization system. These results indicate that a potential reduction in CO2 emissions of 34% can be obtained compared to those obtained using the conventional input method for the example shown here
Summary
Because the CO2 emissions created by the Korean construction industry account for 40% of the nation’s total, it is essential to reduce the amount of CO2 generated by construction activities if Korea is to attain its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goal [1]. The industry is well aware of this; the amount of CO2 emissions produced is specified in a ready-mixed concrete (RMC) report that is provided whenever concrete is sold commercially in Korea. This has led to many studies addressing the quantitative evaluation and reduction of the environmental effects of concrete, little research has considered the development of optimization systems that would enable concrete production companies to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with concrete. This study focused on developing an optimization system, dubbed the concrete life cycle assessment system (CLAS), to recommend options to help minimize CO2 emissions and/or the costs incurred at every stage of the concrete production process
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