Greencrete: A project on environmentally friendly concrete

Abstract

Students are tested in their knowledge of "green" concrete through a course project that requires the development of Greencrete. Greencrete is similar to a commercially available product called Quikcrete 5000©. Quikcrete 5000© is a ready-mix bag of concrete available in 80 pound bags that will attain a compressive strength of 5000 psi by 28 days of age. Each bag consists of cement, gravel, and sand. For the project, students are divided into groups of 4 or 5, and each group must develop their own Greencrete mixture. Each mixture must contain slag cement and fly ash, both recycled materials. Their mixture can not cost more than Quikcrete 5000© and must also have a 28 day compressive strength greater than 5000 psi. Students are also required to research yearly sales of Quickcrete 5000©, and determine how the use of their product, Greencrete, would benefit the environment. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2006.