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的（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。 典型的混凝土由用波特兰水泥粘合在一起的沙子/砾石组成。 在本项目研究的混凝土中，将用再生玻璃代替砂/砾石，并将用粉煤灰代替所有波特兰水泥，粉煤灰是燃煤发电时产生的细灰。 该项目将确定来自全国各地的粉煤灰，可用于这种新的混凝土。 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。该项目将以一个大规模示范项目结束。这项研究对社会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过程，据报道，全球温室气体排放量的7%。 此外，波特兰水泥和砂/砾石的生产破坏了未开垦的土地。 相反，拟用于混凝土的飞灰和回收玻璃是两种常见的废物流。 因此，这种新的混凝土最大限度地减少了能源使用和环境干扰，同时重复使用废料。 此外，该项目将通过在整个项目期间支持学生，包括美洲原住民实习，鼓励学生对科学和工程的兴趣和多样性。

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.