Low emission concrete:
concrete: Recently in Manchester, a new low-emission concrete made its commercial debut and has caused a stir in the construction industry. Concrete is an essential component of any construction projects, with its high compressive strength providing structural integrity to many buildings and infrastructure. However, unbeknownst to many, cement and concrete production is the world’s largest industrial contributor to carbon emissions, with the whole industry responsible for 8% of global emissions (Lord, M. et al. 2017).
This new form of concrete, known as Concretene, provides concrete structural strength by implementing graphene in the production of the concrete. This allows for the concrete mix to require less raw materials, as well as less steel reinforcements as Concretene has significantly more tensile capacity than regular concrete (McDermott 2021). This reduction in materials and steel can reduce emissions by as much as 30%. Furthermore, graphene has the additional property of accelerating the bonding process between the different materials in the concrete mixtures – Concretene has been able to achieve the equivalent strength of regular concrete after the 28-day curing process in only 12 hours!
Despite all the advantages Low emission concrete offers, however, the biggest factor in this new concrete’s lack of commercial use is due to the difficulty to mass produce graphene. Graphene can be easily formed at smaller scales, with sheet sizes such as 10×10mm being commercially available, but in the construction industry, much large sheets are needed, and in such cases, it can be very difficult and expensive to acquire sheets of the appropriate size. As technology evolves and further studies are conducted on graphene, mass production of graphene sheets in various sizes will eventually become accessible, as a result, it is very likely that we will see Concretene become the industry standard in the near future.
References:
Lord, M. et al. 2017, Rethinking Cement – Cement production is the world’s single biggest industrial cause of carbon pollution, Beyond Zero Emissions, Accessed 1st December 2021, <https://bze.org.au/research_release/rethinking-cement/>.
McDermott, A 2021, The ‘secret sauce’ causing a stir in construction, Institute of Civil Engineers, Accessed 1st December 2021, <https://www.ice.org.uk/news-and-insight/the-civil-engineer/november-2021/secret-sauce-causing-a-stir-in-construction>.
Johnson, L & Meany, J.E. 2018, Mass-Producing Graphene, American Scientist, Accessed 1st December, <https://www.americanscientist.org/article/mass-producing-graphene>.
FAQ
1. What is low emission concrete?
Low emission concrete is a type of concrete designed to minimise carbon emissions during its production. It often incorporates innovative materials, like graphene, to enhance strength while using fewer raw materials.
2. How does low emission concrete reduce carbon footprints?
Low emission concrete reduces carbon footprints by requiring less raw material and less steel reinforcement. This can lead to a reduction in emissions by up to 30% compared to traditional concrete.
3. What is the significance of Concretene in low emission concrete?
Concretene is a ground-breaking form of low emission concrete that uses graphene to improve tensile strength and bonding processes, allowing it to achieve structural integrity much faster than traditional concrete.
4. Will low emission concrete become the industry standard?
While low emission concrete like Concretene shows great promise, challenges such as the mass production of graphene need to be addressed before it can become the industry standard.
5. What are the advantages of using low emission concrete?
The advantages of low emission concrete include reduced material usage, lower carbon emissions, faster curing times, and enhanced structural performance.
6. Is low emission concrete more expensive than traditional concrete?
Currently, low emission concrete can be more expensive due to the costs associated with producing graphene. However, as technology advances, these costs may decrease.
7. What projects are suitable for low emission concrete?
Low emission concrete is ideal for a variety of construction projects, especially those prioritising sustainability and lower environmental impact, such as commercial buildings and infrastructure.
8. How does low emission concrete perform compared to regular concrete?
Low emission concrete often outperforms regular concrete in terms of strength and curing time, achieving the same structural integrity in a significantly shorter period.
9. What is the role of graphene in low emission concrete?
Graphene enhances the performance of low emission concrete by improving tensile strength, accelerating the curing process, and allowing for a reduction in the overall material required.
10. Are there any environmental benefits to using low emission concrete?
Yes, using low emission concrete helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more sustainable choice for construction, contributing positively to climate change mitigation.
11. What challenges does low emission concrete face in adoption?
The main challenges include the high cost of graphene and the current limitations in mass-producing it, which can hinder the widespread adoption of low emission concrete.
12. How can I learn more about low emission concrete technologies?
To learn more about low emission concrete technologies, consider following industry publications, attending construction conferences, and connecting with experts in sustainable building materials.
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