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Environmental evaluation of a self-compacted clay based concrete with natural superplasticizers

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Abstract

Cement concrete is the most widely used construction material worldwide due to its favourable mechanical characteristics. However, it is responsible for 8% of the total carbon emissions in the world, which are generated mainly during the production of clinker. Due to that fact, finding alternatives to cement for some applications in which it is not strictly needed should be a priority. In this study, a self-compacted clay-based concrete with natural superplasticizers based on natural tara tannins is presented. The main objective of the study is to determine if this clay-based concrete can be a sustainable alternative to conventional cement concrete as the main component in structural slabs. The methodology of the study is divided into two parts. First, the self-compacting clay concrete is characterized to determine its mechanical properties. Secondly, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment is conducted to determine the difference between the impacts generated by one square meter of self-compacting cement concrete and one of self-compacting clay concrete. The characterization of the material showed that this self-compacting clay concrete is suitable for some building elements such as structural slabs while avoiding the energy consumption needed to produce conventional concrete. The environmental impact results showed that using self-compacting clay concrete instead of the cement-based material decreases 90% of the carbon emissions and 80% of the overall environmental impact. After the completion of the study, it can be stated that the presented material is a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete for building structural slabs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Geotechnical Department of the UPV (Universitat Politècnica de València) for its vital support in this research. Thanks are due to the bioconstruction cooperative Okambuva Coop, for the practical experimentation spaces, and to the IVE (Valencian Building Institute) for its assistance in carrying out tests. Also, to PYBC S.L. and SILVACHIMICA S.R.L for the materials supplied.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doctoral Programme in Architecture, Building, Urban Planning and Landscape, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Joan Romero Clausell

  2. Center for Physics Technologies (CTFAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain

    Alberto Quintana-Gallardo

  3. Department of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Carlos Hidalgo Signes

  4. Department of Continuous Medium Mechanics and Theory of Structures, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Begoña Serrano-Lanzarote

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  1. Joan Romero Clausell
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  2. Alberto Quintana-Gallardo
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  3. Carlos Hidalgo Signes
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  4. Begoña Serrano-Lanzarote
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Correspondence to Joan Romero Clausell.

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Romero Clausell, J., Quintana-Gallardo, A., Hidalgo Signes, C. et al. Environmental evaluation of a self-compacted clay based concrete with natural superplasticizers. Mater Struct 54, 20 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-020-01586-6

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