Measuring the performance of CO2 injection into field-cured concrete in the Arabian Gulf climate: an experimental study

Abstract

Concrete has experienced significant improvements in recent decades, resulting in lower Portland cement consumption as well as a lower carbon footprint through CO2 injection while keeping comparable fresh, mechanical, and durability performance. The use of CO2 injection in concrete (CarbonCure) in the United States and Canada has enabled advances such as green concrete under normal and severe conditions. While incorporating novel developments, this study focuses on CarbonCure concrete modification in the extreme weather of the Arabian Gulf region. This is a relatively new option that has entered the field in the Middle East. The materials, process, and fresh and hardened properties of the CarbonCure concrete made and field cured in the Arabian Gulf region will be considered here and evaluated in detail. Along with adding CO2 to the mix, the cementitious material was lowered without impacting the quality or performance of the structural concrete. The developed green mix included up to 0.2% CO2 by mass of cementitious material. Because of the benefit of early carbonation, which strengthened the concrete product even with less cementitious material, this green concrete mix retained a 28% increase in slump compared to the standard concrete mix without CO2, a 28-day compressive strength of 48 MPa, low water absorption of 1.3%, and resistance to aggressive chemicals, all within the limits defined by the standard codes. Due to these benefits, and because this green concrete was tested against the severe coastal climate, it would be ideal for maritime applications.