Experimental Research on Green Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is a predominant material in global construction due to its versatility and essential role in various infrastructure projects. However, its production is responsible for approximately 8 to 10 % of global CO2 emissions, primarily attributed to the manufacturing of cement. Consequently, there is a critical need to reduce concrete usage and seek eco-friendly alternatives to conventional cement. Green concrete refers to concrete produced by incorporating waste materials such as fly ash, slag, by-products from power plants, recycled concrete aggregate, and waste glass, this approach aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with traditional concrete production. This study presents experimental work conducted on both conventional and green concrete samples of M40 mix design. The green concrete samples incorporated fly ash as a partial replacement for cement at 20%, 25%, and 30% levels, and used recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) to replace 50% of both fine and coarse aggregates. The primary objectives were to design a concrete mix that maintains properties comparable to conventional concrete, reduces environmental impact by substituting waste materials for cement, and achieves cost efficiency.