Title:
Cementitious Blends and Their Impact on Sustainable Construction
Author(s):
B. Blair
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
269
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
27-36
Keywords:
alkali-silica reaction (ASR); cementitious blends; clinker; fly ash; permeability; portland limestone cement; silica fume; slag; supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs); sustainability.
DOI:
10.14359/51663720
Date:
3/31/2010
Abstract:
Today, the demand for high-performance building materials continues to grow along with the demand for "green" product manufacturing and sustainable building practices. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and blended cements offer sustainable and performance advantages for those who build and occupy structures of all kinds. The growing use of these environmentally friendly materials is due to several performance factors, including low permeability, resistance to chlorides and sulfates, mitigation of alkali silica reaction, greater strength, lower temperatures for mass concrete, and improved workability.
The use of cementitious blends not only results in stronger, more durable, high-performance concretes but also helps reduce global climate impact by lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, each ton of portland cement that is replaced by SCMs reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 0.8 ton (0.7 metric ton). Using cementitious blends also reduces solid waste disposal because SCMs are by-products from other industries. These environmental benefits are increasingly important to project developers and owners.