Smart, Durable, and Sustainable: Designing Concrete Structures for Tomorrow

使用生态高效建筑材料的好处是显而易见的，然而，在加拿大极端气候条件下，可持续结构在实际环境和结构载荷条件下的长期性能却鲜为人知。与传统混凝土相比，结构混凝土可以使用再生混凝土骨料和低水泥含量设计，减少环境足迹，具有显著的可持续性优势，但由于对结构性能和耐久性的担忧，它们在该领域的使用受到限制。新的设计方法需要发展，以克服普遍的看法，即可持续混凝土本质上不如传统的结构应用的混合设计。拟议的研究计划旨在解决这些重要的知识差距，以确保加拿大继续成为可持续发展的领导者，而不会损害其关键基础设施的长期耐用性。

The benefits of using eco-efficient building materials are evident, yet relatively little is known regarding the long-term performance of sustainable structures subjected to combined realistic environmental and structural loading conditions in extreme Canadian climates. Structural concrete can be designed with reduced environmental footprints using recycled concrete aggregates and low cement content providing significant sustainability benefits compared to conventional concrete, but their use in the field has been limited due to concerns about structural performance and durability. New design methodologies need to be developed to overcome the prevailing perception that sustainable concrete is inherently inferior to conventional mix designs for structural applications. The proposed research program aims to address these important knowledge gaps to ensure that Canada continues to be a leader in sustainable development without compromising the long-term durability of its critical infrastructure.