by: Amir Manzoor Mir
The increasing dependency and consumption of non-renewable energies have resulted in global energy crises and due to the impacts of climate change increasing at an alarming rate, sustainability has become a necessary action in the growing world and the growing population. The whole construction sector relies on two main materials cement and aggregate. The most used material in the world in civil construction works after water is concrete. To achieve this resource we need continuous extraction and supply, which is becoming a challenge nowadays. Further mining and extraction have a crucial impact on the environment. The extraction of these materials needs a lot of capital and other resources like fossil fuels, manpower, and transport connections and pollutes the water resources directly and indirectly.
So what are the best alternatives we could use so that our mother nature will be safe and pocket-friendly? Here we can switch towards sustainable and stable materials Sustainable materials aim to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects by considering factors such as resource conservation, energy efficiency, and the overall life cycle of materials. What are those materials that are available and can be partial or complete replacements of cement and aggregate?
Admixtures are the best alternative and sustainable materials that could be used in civil construction works to replace cement partially or completely. Due to a lack of understanding, and social and technical awareness, we are still struggling to introduce the most available admixture like the fly ash and GGBFS. Admixtures can be of two types which are mineral admixtures and chemical admixtures which have a direct effect on the engineering properties, the replacement of cement admixtures also enhances the engineering properties and is selected accordingly. The scope of mineral admixtures in the field of construction is broad and encompasses various aspects, including improved performance, environmental benefits, and economic considerations.
Fly Ash: Fly ash is a byproduct made during the combustion of pulverized coal in coal-fired power plants. It consists of fine particles that are carried away by the flue gases and collected by electrostatic precipitators or other particulate control devices.
Workability: workability may be defined as the ease of working with. Fly ash has spherical particles that can act as ball bearings in the concrete mix, resulting in improved workability. This makes the concrete easier to place and finish.
Reduced Heat of Hydration: Fly ash helps in controlling the heat generated during the early stages of cement hydration. This is particularly advantageous in massive concrete structures where excessive heat can lead to thermal cracking.
Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS): It is a byproduct of the iron and steel industry, produced by quenching molten iron slag from a blast furnace with water or steam. This rapid cooling process results in the formation of glassy granules, which, when finely ground, can be used as a supplementary cementitious material in the production of concrete.
Sustainability and Environmental friendly: As we know the above mineral admixtures are part of byproducts or we can say waste materials so it helps us to maintain waste management within an industry or any combustion-based power plant.
Waste Utilization: Mineral admixtures often involve the use of industrial byproducts, such as fly ash and GGBFS, reducing the environmental impact by repurposing materials that would otherwise be disposed of as waste.
Carbon Footprint Reduction: The incorporation of mineral admixtures can lead to a reduction in the carbon footprint of concrete production, as these materials often require less energy compared to the production of traditional cement.
Economical: The use of mineral admixtures can contribute to cost savings in concrete production. For example, replacing a portion of cement with fly ash or GGBFS can be economically beneficial.
Pocket-friendly: Improved durability and reduced maintenance requirements due to using mineral admixtures can result in long-term economic benefits for infrastructure projects.
How could be such initiatives implemented effectively?
Research to understand the types of mineral admixtures available and their potential applications in construction. Raise awareness among engineers, architects, contractors, and other stakeholders about the benefits of using mineral admixtures.
Guidelines and Standards: Develop or update technical guidelines and standards that provide clear specifications for the use of mineral admixtures in concrete. These standards should cover aspects such as mix design, testing procedures, and quality control.
Education and Training: Provide education and training programs for professionals in the construction industry to familiarize them with the use of mineral admixtures. This can include workshops, seminars, and certification programs.
Promotion of Sustainable Construction Practices: Emphasize the environmental benefits of using mineral admixtures in concrete, such as reduced carbon emissions and resource conservation. Encourage the adoption of sustainable construction practices that align with global and national environmental goals.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the use of mineral admixtures aligns with existing building codes and regulations. Work with regulatory bodies to update or modify standards to accommodate the use of these materials in construction.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead, anthropologist, author, and speaker
Author is a Student of Civil Engineering. He can be mailed at johnnymir49@gmail.com
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