Sustainable construction materials for concrete: A question of responsible use

Abstract

This paper has been inspired by the principal author's life-time research at the cutting edge of the concrete industry and is propelled by recent research undertaken with his co-authors, which is referenced fully in this paper. In the main, this work has been created to show that the use of sustainable construction materials, in making concrete, should be carefully evaluated for their rheological, engineering and long-term durability effects, in the relevant exposure classes, as well as environment impacts, in the form of leaching, as a material and whilst in use. Failure to do so, can, in the long-term prove to be disappointingly counterproductive in achieving the estimated sustainability benefits from the use of such materials in concrete, and may even prove disastrous.