Towards Reinforced Concrete Structures with Near-Zero Impact: New Reinforcement Solutions and Concretes

Abstract

The sustainability of reinforced concrete (RC) constructions can be significantly increased by recent developments in reinforcement solutions and new concrete mixtures: the carbon footprint, the consumption of raw materials required for construction and the use of landfill sites (for the final disposal of construction and demolition waste) can be largely reduced. The use of non-metallic reinforcements consisting of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) and fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) instead of traditional metal reinforcements can significantly reduce environmental impact. The use of low carbon footprint cements (e.g., Type IV cement) and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), together with the partial or complete replacement of natural aggregates with artificial and recycled aggregates, can ensure high mechanical performance and a significant reduction in global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional concrete. The article presents the physical-mechanical properties of these new materials and discusses both the structural response and environmental impact (assessed over the cradle-to-gate life cycle) of simple structural elements, such as beams, through an experimental campaign involving a concrete production plant in a real construction scenario.