Development, Design, and Implementation of Low Carbon Concrete Structures

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Green House Gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) are the leading cause of climate change, which is projected to lead to increases in temperatures and extreme weather events as well as cost the Canadian economy billions of dollars. The production of cement contributes to 8% of global CO2 emissions. As such there is a pressing need to develop strategies for reducing the use of cement. This research project focuses on reducing cement use by improving structural efficiency through reducing the size of structural members, the amount of cement used in a member, or both. To do this, a combination of approaches is required that begins with lab-based experimental testing. In order to fully understand the behaviour of these efficient structural elements and ensure that they will provide safe and durable structures, advanced testing techniques (e.g. hybrid simulation) and sensor technologies (e.g. distributed fibre optic strain sensing) will be employed. Advanced approaches to the design of these low cement structural elements will also be developed since current approaches to the design of reinforced concrete structures do not allow designers the required flexibility to vary the cross-section or material properties. To ensure the outcomes of this research can and will be utilized by the construction industry, the research team includes partners representing the full spectrum of the construction industry (architects, contractors, engineers, and concrete suppliers and trade associations) as well as government partners representing key clients. To create awareness and promote industry acceptance, the full project team (partners and researchers) will work together to design, construct, and test a demonstration structure, with a goal of achieving 50% cement reductions versus a structure designed using conventional approaches. This level of cement reduction would be equivalent to twice the CO2 emissions of the entire airline industry if implemented on a global scale. The deliverables include new design guidelines for low carbon concrete structures, design software tools, the demonstration structure (which will serve as a living lab), and the training of at least 5 HQP with the skills required to design of future low carbon concrete structures.