Building Green: Development and Evaluation of an Environmentally Friendly Concrete

该项目的主要目标是开发一种环境友好型（即绿色）混凝土，以减少与使用传统混凝土相关的重大环境影响。典型的混凝土由波特兰水泥粘合在一起的砂砾组成。在本项目研究的混凝土中，沙子/砾石将被再生玻璃取代，所有的波特兰水泥将被粉煤灰取代，粉煤灰是煤燃烧发电时产生的细灰。该项目将从全国各地寻找可用于这种新型混凝土的粉煤灰。用这些灰烬和回收玻璃制成的混凝土构件将进行测试，以确定其工程性能和耐久性。该项目将以一个大型示范项目结束。这项研究给社会带来的好处至少是双重的。使用传统混凝土作为建筑材料对环境的影响是显著的。波特兰水泥的生产是一个能源密集型的过程，据报道，它的温室气体排放量占全球温室气体排放量的7%。此外，波特兰水泥和砂砾的生产都会破坏处女地。相反，在混凝土中使用的粉煤灰和回收玻璃代表了两种常见的废物流。因此，这种新型混凝土最大限度地减少了能源使用和环境干扰，同时回收了废料。此外，该项目将鼓励学生对科学和工程的兴趣和多样性，在整个过程中支持学生，包括印第安人实习。

The primary goal of this project is to develop an environmentally friendly (i.e., green) concrete to reduce the significant environmental impacts associated with the use of traditional concrete. Typical concrete consists of sand/gravel bound together by Portland cement. In the concretes studied in this project, the sand/gravel will be replaced with recycled glass, and all of the Portland cement will be replaced with fly ash, which is a fine ash produced when coal is burned to generate electricity. This project will identify fly ashes from sources around the country that can be used in this new concrete. Concrete elements made with these ashes and recycled glass will then be tested to determine their engineering properties and durability. The project will conclude with a large-scale demonstration project. The benefits to society as a result of this research are at least twofold. The environmental impacts of using traditional concrete as a construction material are significant. Production of Portland cement is an energy intensive process, and is reportedly responsible for up to 7% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Additionally, both the production of Portland cement and sand/gravel disturb virgin land. Conversely, the fly ash and recycled glass to be used in the proposed concrete represent two common waste streams. Thus, this new concrete minimizes energy use and environmental disturbance, while reusing waste materials. Additionally, the project will encourage interest and diversity in science and engineering by supporting students throughout its duration, including a Native American internship.