SIRPADAMPATSINGHANIAUNIVERSITY

SEMINARREPORT

ON

GREENCONCRETE
BY

SUDHIRTRIVEDI (10CE000768)

DepartmentofCivilEngineering SirPadampatSinnghaniaUniversity Udaipur February2013

Contents
1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................3 1.1.MainObjective.............................................................................................................................4 2. 3. GENESIS...........................................................................................................................................5 METHODSTOPRODUCEGREENCONCRETE...................................................................................7

4.EVALUATIONOFGREENCONCRETE....................................................................................................9 4.1Desirablepropertiesingreenconcrete........................................................................................9 4.2Energyconsumptionduringtheproduction...............................................................................10 4.2.1.Energyconsumptioninconcretemixdesign......................................................................10 4.2.2.Energyconsumptionduringcementandconcreteproduction..........................................11 4.3Evaluationofinorganicwastes...................................................................................................11 4.4Differentmixtureseffectsonenvironment...............................................................................12 5.ADVANTAGESOFGREENCONCRETE................................................................................................15 6.LIMITATIONSOFGREENCONCRETE.................................................................................................16 7.PERVIOUSGREENCONCRETE............................................................................................................17 7.1Benefitsofperviousconcrete.....................................................................................................17 8.SCOPEININDIA.................................................................................................................................18 9.CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................................19 REFERENCES:.........................................................................................................................................20

1. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is a so familiar material to everyone and we cannot think a sustainable building without using concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement, water and coarse and fine aggregates.Itsrigidityanddurabilitymakeitmostimportantmaterialforanyconstruction. Itisafactthatconcretecausessomeecologicalproblemalso.Numerousstudiesaregoing on about the side effects of concretes and as a result of these studies a concept of eco friendlyconcreteisemerged.Thisisknownasgreenconcrete. Green concrete is a revolutionary topic in the history of concrete industry. This was first inventedinDenmarkintheyear1998.Greenconcretehasnothingtodowithcolor.Itisa conceptofthinkingenvironmentintoconcreteconsideringeveryaspectfromrawmaterials manufactureovermixturedesigntostructuraldesign,construction,andservicelife.Green concrete is very often also cheap to produce, because, for example, waste products are used as a partial substitute for cement, charges for the disposal of waste are avoided, energy consumption in production is lower, and durability is greater. Green concrete is a typeofconcretewhichresemblestheconventionalconcretebuttheproductionorusageof such concrete requires minimum amount of energy and causes least harm to the environment. concreteisthesecondmostconsumedentityafterwateritaccountsforaround5%ofthe worlds total CO2 emission (Ernst Worrell, 2001). The CO2 emission related to concrete production, inclusive of cement production, isbetween 0.1 and 0.2 t per ton of produced concrete. However, since the total amount of concrete produced is so vast the absolute figures for the environmental impact are quite significant, due to the large amounts of cement and concrete produced. The solution to this environmental problem is not to substituteconcreteforothermaterialsbuttoreducetheenvironmentalimpactofconcrete andcement. Thepotentialenvironmentalbenefittosocietyofbeingabletobuildwithgreenconcreteis huge. It is realistic to assume thattechnology can be developed, which can halve the CO2 emission related to concrete production. With the largeconsumption of concretethis will potentially reduce the worlds total CO2 emission by 1.52%. Concrete can also be the solution to environmental problems other than those related to CO2 emission. It may be possibletouseresidualproductsfromotherindustriesintheconcreteproductionwhilestill maintainingahighconcretequality.Duringthelastfewdecadessocietyhasbecomeaware of the deposit problems connected with residual products, and demands, restrictions and taxeshavebeenimposed.Andasitisknownthatseveralresidualproductshaveproperties suitedforconcreteproduction,thereisalargepotentialininvestigatingthepossibleuseof

theseforconcreteproduction.Wellknownresidualproductssuchassilicafumeandflyash maybementioned. The concrete industry realized at an early stage that it is a good idea to be in front with regard to documenting the actual environmental aspects and working on improving the environment,ratherthanbeingforcedtodealwithenvironmentalaspectsduetodemands from authorities, customers and economic effects such as imposed taxes. Furthermore, some companies in concrete industry have recognised that reductions in production costs often go hand in hand with reductions in environmental impacts. Thus, environmental aspects are not only interesting from an ideological point of view, but also from an economicaspect.

1.1.MainObjective
ReductionofCO2emissionsby21%.ThisisinaccordancewiththeKyoto Protocolof1997. Increasetheuseofinorganicresidualproductsfromindustriesotherthanthe concreteindustrybyapprox20%. Reducetheuseoffossilfuelsbyincreasingtheuseofwastederivedfuelsinthe cementindustry. Therecyclingcapacityofthegreenconcretemustnotbelesscomparedtoexisting concretetypes. Theproductionandtheuseofgreenconcretemustnotdeterioratetheworking environment. Thestructuresdonotimposemuchharmtotheenvironmentduringtheirservice life.

2. GENESIS
Greenconcretewasinventedin1998inDenmark.Theincreasingawarenessandactivityto conserve the environment and the realization that concrete production too releases a considerable amount of CO2 in the atmosphere were strong initiatives to catalyse the genesisofGreenConcrete. Cement and concrete may have an important role to play in enabling the developed countriestofulfiltheirobligationtoreducethetotalCO2emissionby21%comparedtothe 1990levelbefore2012,asagreedattheKyotoconference.Thisisbecausethevolumeof concreteconsumptionislarge.Approx.1m3ofconcretepercapitaareproducedannually globally.TheCO2emissionrelatedtoconcreteproduction,inclusiveofcementproduction,is between0.10.2tonspertonproducedconcrete.ThiscorrespondstoatotalquantityofCO2 emissionof0.61.2mtonsperyear.Approximately5%ofworldstotalCO2emissionstems fromcementandconcreteproduction. In1997,theKyotoConferencetookplace,inwhichseveralcountries,afterdeliberatingover the then environmental conditions laid down several guidelines which would be the directive principles to the participating countries on their environment related practices. TheguidelinesKyotoProtocol,astheyarecalled, neededthe countriestocutdowntheir CO2emissionstoacertaindegreeasassigned.Thegivengoalhastobeachievedbytheyear 2012.SincethenseveralcountriesstartedtofocusonseveralavailableoptionsbutDenmark focusedoncementandconcreteproductionbecausethevolumeofconcreteconsumption islargeinDenmark.Approx.1.5tonsofconcretepercapitaareproducedannually.TheCO2 emissionrelatedtoconcreteproduction,inclusiveofcementproduction,isbetween0.10.2 tonspertonproducedconcrete.ThiscorrespondstoatotalquantityofCO2emissionof0.6 1.2 mtons peryear.Approx. 1 2%ofDenmarkstotalCO2 emissionstems fromcement andconcreteproduction. Realizing the necessity of such a technology and the prospects associated the Danish governmentsoonreleasedaproposal.TheproposalisinaccordancewiththeInternational andEuropeanConventionsandProtocol,withthenationallyagreedgoalsthatcomplywith these. An important aspect is Denmarks obligation to reduce the CO2emission as previously mentioned. The proposal covers the following environmental aspects: Greenhouse effect, depletion of the ozone layer, photochemical oxidation, acidification, materialsharmfultotheenvironmentandhealth,waterandresources.Discussionswiththe MinistryofEnvironmentandEnergy,DanishEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhaveresulted inthefollowingprioritiesregardingenvironmentalimpactsrelevanttoconcrete. HIGHPRIORITY Carbondioxide(CO2) Resource(water) Fossilfuel Substancesharmfultohealthorenvironment(chemicals,heavymetals)

 MEDIUMPRIORITY SO2ANDNOx Localsupplyofresourcessuchassand,stone,gravel,chalkandlime Resource(recyclingofwaste) LOWPRIORITY VOC(onlyrelevanttotheworkingenvironment) The above mentioned priorities were included in a large Danish projects about cleaner technologiesinthelifecycleofconcreteproducts.Furthermore,prioritieshavebeenmade fortheotherparticipatingcountries,i.e.Greece,Italy,andTheNetherlands,andforEurope andtheInternationalWorld.Althoughtherearedifferencesinthepolitical environmental priorities,allagreethatfiveenvironmentalimpactsgivenhighestpriorityare: Carbondioxide(CO2) Energy Water Waste Pollutants These, coupled with the cost reduction benefits allured the concrete producers to incorporategreenconcreteintotheirparadigm. Thepotentialenvironmentalbenefittosocietyofbeingabletobuildwithgreenconcreteis huge. It is realistic to assume thattechnology can be developed, which can halve the CO2 emission related to concrete production. With the largeconsumption of concretethis will potentially reduce Denmarks total CO2 emission by 1 %.The somewhat soft demands in the form of environmental obligations result in rather specific technical requirements for theindustryincludingtheconcreteindustry.Thesetechnicalrequirementsincludeamong others new concrete mix designs, new raw materials, and new knowledge (practical experience and technical models) about the properties of the new raw materials and concretemixdesigns.

3. METHODSTOPRODUCEGREENCONCRETE
Fourwaystoproducegreenconcretearebeinginvestigated,seefigure1: a) Toincreasetheuseofconventionalresidualproducts,i.e.flyash. b) Touseresidualproductsfromtheconcreteindustry,i.e.stonedust(fromcrushingof aggregate)andconcreteslurry(fromwashingofmixersandotherequipment). c) Touseresidualproductsfromotherindustriesnottraditionallyusedinconcrete,i.e.fly ashfrombiofuelsandsewagesludgeincinerationash(fromsewagetreatmentplants). d) Tousenewtypesofcementwithreducedenvironmentalimpact

Fig.1:Achartdepictingthemethodstodevelopgreenconcrete

It can be seen that the four principles of producing green concrete are combined in order to achieve the most environmentally friendly concrete.

PRReferenceconcrete P250%flyashand10%kilndustofpowder

P317%sewagesludgeincinerationashofpowder P5Concreteslurry P6100%stonedustofsand P730%flyashfrombiofuelsofpowder ARReferenceconcrete A0Cementwithreducedenvironmentalimpact A140%flyashofpowderandcementwithreducedenvironmentalimpact A310%sewagesludgeincinerationashofpowderandcementwithreducedenvironmental impact. A5Concreteslurry A650%stonedustofsand The results obtained by the Danish Centre for Green Concrete show that it is possible to produce concrete types where the properties such as durability, workmanship and mechanicalpropertiesarejustasgoodasforordinaryconcrete.

4.EVALUATIONOFGREENCONCRETE
4.1Desirablepropertiesingreenconcrete

Today, it is already possible to produce and cast very green concrete. Even a super green typeofconcretewithoutcementbutthisconcretewillnotdevelopstrength,anditwillof coursenotbedurable.Therefore,theconcretemustincludeaspectsofperformancelike: a)Mechanicalproperties(strength,shrinkage,creep,staticbehaviouretc.) b)Fireresistance(heattransfer,etc.) c)Workmanship(workability,strengthdevelopment,curing,etc.) d)Durability(corrosionprotection,frost,newdeteriorationmechanisms,etc.) e)Environmentalimpact(howgreenisthenewconcrete?). Resultsfrominvestigationofmechanicalpropertiesofagreenconcreteshowsthatthesedo not differ significantly from the mechanical properties of the reference concrete. Results from investigation of workmanship show that some of the green concrete may lose workabilitymorequicklythanthereferenceconcrete,bemoreadhesiveorrequirealonger restingtimebeforefinishingcanbegin.Itisexpectedthatsomeoftheseproblemscanbe solvedbyoptimisingthetypeandtheamountofchemicaladmixtures.Anevaluationofthe practicalaspectsseenfromtheconcretemanufacturerspointofviewitseemspossibleto producethesetypesofgreenconcrete,whichisjustasdurableasconventionalconcrete. Itisdifficulttoobtainasatisfactoryairvoidstructurefortheconcretewithlargequantities of fly ash for aggressive environmental class (A1). When the correct mix design has been achieved,anexpandedcontrolatthemanufacturingsiteisneeded. Concrete with sewage sludge incineration ash (P3 and A3) has been subjected to further investigations than the other green concrete types because the P3 showed lower compressivestrength.Noexplanationforthishasbeenfoundyet.BecauseofthehighP2O5 content in the sewage sludge incineration ash it cannot be rejected that a new durability problemordeteriorationproblemmightoccur. Meetingtheserequirementsisnotaneasytask,andallmustbereachedatthesametimeif constructors are to be tempted to prescribe green concrete. A constructor would not normallyprescribegreenconcreteiftheperformanceislowerthannormal,forexample,a reducedservicelife.Thenewtechnologywillthereforeneedtodevelopconcreteswithall propertiesasnearnormalaspossible.

 4.2Energyconsumptionduringtheproduction

4.2.1.Energyconsumptioninconcretemixdesign

Thetypeandamountofcementhasamajorinfluenceontheenvironmentalpropertiesofa concrete.AnexampleofthisisshowninFigure2,wheretheenergyconsumptioninmega joules per kilogramofaconcreteedgebeamthrough all itslifecyclephasesis illustrated. Theenergyconsumptionofcementproductionmakeupmorethan90%ofthetotalenergy consumptionofallconstituentmaterialsandapproximatelyonethirdofthetotallifecycle energyconsumption. By selectingacementtypewithreducedenvironmentalimpact,and by minimizing the amount of cement, the environmental properties of the concrete are drasticallychanged.Thismust,however,bedonewhilestilltakingaccountofthetechnical requirements of the concrete for the type and amount of cement. One method of minimizing the cement content in a concrete mix is by using packing calculations to determine the optimum composition of the aggregate. A high level of aggregate packing reducesthecavitiesbetweentheaggregates,andtherebytheneedforcementpaste.This resultsinbetterconcreteproperties.

Figure2Edgebeam:totalenergyconsumptionthroughallthelifecyclephases
Source:Obla,K.H.,2009

Anotherwayof minimisingthecementcontentina concreteistosubstitutepartsofthe cement with other pozzolanic materials. It is common to produce concrete with fly ash and/or micro silica. Both of these materials are residual products (from production of electricityandproductionofsilicon,respectively)andbothhaveapozzolaniceffect.Thus,a materialwithlargeenvironmentalimpact,i.e.thecement,issubstitutedwithmaterialswith reduced environmental impacts. Although there is no guideline given by the BIS on the

additionofabovecomponents,theDanishStandardshavelaiddowncertainrestrictionsas giveninTable1.

Table1RequirementsforthecontentsofflyashandmicrosilicaaccordingtotheDanishconcretematerials standard(%)

4.2.2.Energyconsumptionduringcementandconcreteproduction

It is also possible to reduce the environmental impact of concrete by reducing the environmentalimpactofcementandconcreteproduction.Asregardsconcreteproduction, experience with the reduction of primarily water consumption, energy consumption and wasteproductionisavailable.Eventhoughthecontributionofconcreteproductiontothe environmental profile of concrete is minor, it does contribute, and is important environmentally and economically to the single concrete producer. By selecting a cement type with reduced environmental impacts and by minimizing the amount of cement the concretesenvironmentalpropertiesaredrasticallychanged.Thismust,however,bedone whilst still taking account of the technical requirements of the concrete for the type and amount of cement. Denmarks cement manufacturer, Aalborg Portland, priorities de of cementswithreducedenvironmentalimpacts.

4.3Evaluationofinorganicwastes
The materials, which have been judged as useable for concrete production and selected for further development, are shown in Figure 3. The judgment was based on an evaluation concerning both concrete technology and environmental aspects. Inorganic residual products fromtheconcreteindustry(e.g.stonedustandconcreteslurry)andproductswhichposeahuge waste problem to society and which are in political focus (e.g. combustion ash from water purifyingplants,smokewastefromwastecombustionandflyashfromsugarproduction)have beengivenhighestpriority.

a) Stonedust:Stonedustisaresidualproductfromthecrushingofaggregates.Itisan inertmaterialwithaparticlesizebetweenthatofcementandsandparticles.Stonedust isexpectedtosubstitutepartofthesand. b) Concrete slurry: Concrete slurry is a residual product from concrete production, i.e. washingmixersandotherequipment.Theconcreteslurryiscanbeeitheradryorwet substance, and can be recycled either as a dry powder or with water. In the case of recyclingofthedrymaterial,itisnecessarytoprocessittopowder.Theconcreteslurry canhavesomepozzolaniceffect,andmightthereforebeusedasasubstituteforpartof thecementorforothertypesofpozzolanicmaterialssuchasflyash.

Figure3:Greenconcretefrominorganicwaste

c) Combustion ash from waterpurifying plants: This type of combustion ash has the same particle size and shape as fly ash particles. The content of heavy metals in the slurryisexpectedtobeapproximatelyatthesamelevelasforflyash.Theslurrycanalso havesomepozzolaniceffect. d) Smoke waste from waste combustion: This smoke waste can have some pozzolanic effect.Thecontentofheavymetalsissignificantlyhigherthanthatofordinaryflyash. Furthermore, the content of chlorides, fluorides and sulphates can result in negative effectsinconnectionwithreinforcementcorrosion,retardation.Furtherprocessingwill benecessarybeforeitsuseinconcrete.

4.4Differentmixtureseffectsonenvironment
In another study to analyses the behaviour of different compositions in various environmental classes was conducted at The Danish Centre for Resource Saving Concrete Structures. In this test several different mixes were prepared and exposed to different

environmental conditions. The control parameters for the mixes were a slump of approximately 100 mm and, for the aggressive environment, an air content of 5.5%. The differentgreenconcretemixesandtheirrespectiveenvironmentalconditionsaretabulated asbelow:

Table2:Passiveenvironmentalclass

Table3:Aggressiveenvironmentalclass

Tables 2 and 3 show concrete mixes tested with highvolume fly ash for the passive and aggressiveenvironmentalclasses.Inthepassiveenvironmentalclasstheflyashcontentwas increasedfrom24to70%,resultinginareductionofCO2emissionfrom18to57%.Inthe aggressiveenvironmentalclasstheflyashcontentwasincreasedfrom9to40%resultingin a reduction of CO2 emission from 33 to 54%. AV5 is a modified version of AV4 with increasedaircontent.

Figure4:Strengthdevelopmentforconcreteinthepassiveenvironmentalclass

 Figure5:Strengthdevelopmentforconcreteintheactiveenvironmentalclass

Source:Glavind,2002

ThefiguresshowthatPV4,whichhasaflyashcontentof70%,hasstrengththatisfartoo low:itappearsthattheflyashcontentmustnotexceedapproximately60%.Evenso,the strength development is still too slow. As regards the concrete in the aggressive environmental class, the strength development is similar for all concrete types. However, preliminary testing indicates that the highvolume fly ash concrete might have problems withfrostresistance.
Passive: Dry atmosphere with no risk of corrosion. Aggressive: Moist atmosphere, with significant alkaline and/or chloride influence on the concrete surface or where there is risk of water saturation combined with frost.

5.ADVANTAGESOFGREENCONCRETE
Greenconcretehasmanifoldadvantagesovertheconventionalconcrete.Sinceitusesthe recycledaggregatesandmaterials,itreducestheextraloadinlandfillsandmitigatesthe wastageofaggregates.Thus,thenetCO2emissionsarereduced.Thereuseofmaterialsalso contributesintensivelytoeconomy.Sincethewastematerialslikeaggregatesfromanearby areaandflyashfromanearbypowerplantarenotmuchexpensiveandalsotransportcosts areminimal. Green concrete can be considered elemental to sustainable development since it is eco friendlyitself.Greenconcreteisbeingwidelyusedingreenbuildingpractices.Italsohelps the green buildings achieve LEED and Golden Globe certifications. Use of fly ash in the concrete also increases its workability and many other properties like durability to an appreciableextent.Oneofthepracticestomanufacturegreenconcreteinvolvesreduction of amount cement in the mix, this practice helps in reducing the consumption of cement overall.Theusewastematerialsalsosolvetheproblemofdisposingtheexcessiveamount industrialwastes. There are several other advantages related to green concrete and can be summarized as below: a)ReducedCO2emissions. b)Lowproductioncostsaswastesdirectlysubstitutethecement. c)Savesenergy,emissionsandwastewater. d)Helpsinrecyclingindustrywastes. e)Reducestheconsumptionofcementoverall. f)Betterworkability. g)Sustainabledevelopment. h)Greaterstrengthanddurabilitythannormalconcrete. i)CompressivestrengthandFlexuralbehaviourisfairlyequaltothatofthe conventionalconcrete. j)Greenconcretemightsolvesomeofthesocietiesproblemswiththeuseof inorganic,residualproductswhichshouldotherwisebedeposited.

6.LIMITATIONSOFGREENCONCRETE
Althoughgreenconcreteseemsverypromisingwhenitcomestoanenvironmentfriendly sustainabledevelopment,thecardinalconcernisitsdurability.Refutationsarebeingconstantly raisedregardingtheservicelifeofstructuresmadewithgreenconcrete.Furtherthesplittensionof greenconcretehasbeenfoundmuchlessthanthatofconventionalconcrete.Anotherchallenge beforegreenconcreteisthatofamarket.Untilthepropertiesofgreenconcreteareatparwiththe conventionalconcrete,greenconcreteisunlikelytofindmanycustomers. Severalresearchershavearguedthatgreenconcretecanbemadedurablebyusingstainlesssteel reinforcements,butthepredicamentisthatbyusingstainlesssteelconcretethecostofthe constructionincreasesconsiderably.Evenafterthis,greenconcreteisnotasdurableasthe conventionalconcrete. Thelimitationsofusinggreenconcretecanbesummarizedasbelow: a) Byusingstainlesssteel,costofreinforcementincreases b) Structures constructed with green concrete have comparatively less life than structures with conventionalconcrete. c) Splittensionofgreenconcreteislessthanthatofconventionalconcrete. d) Notasdurableasconventionalconcrete.

7.PERVIOUSGREENCONCRETE
Oneoftheexamplesofagreenconcreteisperviousconcrete.Knownforitsabilityinstorm watermanagement,itsoneofthemajorbreakthroughsingreenconcretedesign. Pervious concrete is a mix of coarse aggregate, cement, water, and little to no sand. Also known as nofines or porous concrete, this mixture creates an opencell structure, allowing rainwater to filter through to underlying soil. By modelling natural ground cover perviousconcreteisanexcellentchoiceforstormwatermanagement. Storm water runoff can send as much as 90% of the pollutant such as oil and other hydrocarbonliquidsfoundonthesurfaceoftraditionalparkinglotsdirectlyintoourrivers andstreams.Perviousconcretehasa1525%voidstructureandallows38gallonsofwater per minute to pass through each square footaccounting for far more than is generated during most rain events. Pervious concrete puts rainwater back into the ground where it belongs.

7.1Benefitsofperviousconcrete
a) Reducestormwaterrunoff. b) Preventswarmandpollutedwaterfromenteringstreams. c) Allowsformoreefficientlanddevelopment. d) Mitigatessurfacepollutants.

8.SCOPEININDIA
ConcreteisanindispensibleentityforadevelopingcountrylikeIndiawhichdesperately needsacontinuouslyexpandinginfrastructure.Indiaisthesecondlargestproducerof cementintheworld.InIndia,theconcreteindustryhasaconsiderablepartinthenetCO2 emissionsfromthecountry.ThenetCO2emissionsfromtheconstructionagencyare greaterthananyotherindustry.

Table4:ProjectedCementDemand Inordertoactinaresponsiblemannertowardsasustainabledevelopmentofthenation, Greenconcreteistheneedofthehour.Indiabeingadevelopingcountryproducesconcrete ingargantuanquantitieswhichresultinhugevolumesofCO2beingemittedintothe atmosphereeachyear.

Figure6:EnergyconsumptionofconstructionandbuildinginIndia Source:CarbondioxideInformationAnalysisCentre India needs to adopt Green concrete into practice as soon as possible. The other advantageous factor is its economy. As green concrete is made with concrete wastes and recycledaggregates,whicharecheaperthanconventionalsubstitutes,andalsowithmostof the industries facing problems with their waste disposal. Green concrete also help us to reducetheenergyconsumptioninconstructionindustry.

9.CONCLUSION
Theoverviewofthepresentstateofaffairsregardingconcretetypeswithreduced environmentalimpacthasshownthatthereisconsiderableknowledgeandexperienceon thesubject.TheDanishandEuropeanenvironmentalpolicieshavemotivatedtheconcrete industrytoreact,andwillprobablyalsomotivatefurtherdevelopmentoftheproduction anduseofconcretewithreducedenvironmentalimpact.Thesomewhatvague environmentalrequirementsthatexisthaveresultedinaneedformorespecifictechnical requirements,andthemostimportantgoalistodevelopthetechnologynecessaryto produceanduseresourcesavingconcretestructures,i.e.greenconcrete.Thisappliesto structuredesign,specification,manufacturing,performance,operation,andmaintenance. Every1tonofcementproducedleadstoabout0.9tonsofCO2emissionsandatypicalcubic yard(0.7643m3)ofconcretecontainsabout10%byweightofcement.4Therehavebeena numberofarticleswrittenaboutreducingtheCO2emissionsfromconcreteprimarily throughtheuseofloweramountsofcementandhigheramountsofsupplementary cementitiousmaterial(SCM)suchasflyashandslag. Acubicyardofconcreteweighsabout2tons,CO2emissionsfrom1tonofconcretevaries between0.05to0.13tons. Approximately95%ofallCO2emissionsfromacubicyardofconcreteisfromcement manufacturingandsoitisnowonderthatmuchattentionispaidtousinggreateramounts ofSCM. Itisimportanttokeepaholisticcradletocradleperspectivewhenitcomestotheuseofa material.BasedonaresearchGajdaetal.concludedthatoccupantenergyuseaccountsfor 99%oflifecycleenergyuseofasinglefamilyhome.Lessthan1%ofthelifecycleenergy usedinthathomewasduetomanufacturingcementandproducingconcrete.Theglobal cementindustryaccountsforapproximately5%ofglobalCO2emissions.Sowhateverway onelooksatitfocusingonjusttheproductionofconcreteaccountsforaverysmallpercent ofoverallCO2emissions.Thisisnottosaythatprogressshouldnotbemadeinreducingthe CO2emissionsfromconcreteasproduced.Howeveroneshouldkeepinmindthatwhatever CO2emissionreductionsthatarepossiblewillstillaccountforatbesta2%globalCO2 reduction(assumingachallenging21%reductioninglobalCO2emissionsfromcement manufacturefromnowon). Thepotentialenvironmentalbenefittosocietyofbeingabletobuildwithgreenconcreteis huge.Itisrealistictoassumethatthetechnologycanbedeveloped,whichcanhalvethe CO2emissionrelatedtoconcreteproduction,andwiththelargeenergyconsumptionof concreteandthefollowinglargeemissionofCO2thiswillmeanapotentialreductionof DenmarkstotalCO2emissionby1%.

REFERENCES:
1. Obla, K. H., What is Green Concrete?, Point of view, The Indian Concrete Journal, 24(4):26-28, April 2009. www.icjonline.com/views/POV_KH_Obla.pdf 2. Au Youn Thean Seng http://www.madisonvelocity.blogspot.com/ 3. Glavind, M., Overview of Danish Centre for Ressource Saving Concrete, to be publishedin Proceedings of XVIII Nordic Concrete Research Meeting, Helsingr, Denmark, June 2002. 4. Nielsen, C. V.: Mechanical Properties for Green Concrete, to be published in Proceedings of XVIII Nordic Concrete Research Meeting, Helsingr, Denmark, June 2002. 5. Larsen, F.: Green Concrete and practical production conditions, to be published in Proceedings of XVIII Nordic Concrete Research Meeting, Helsingr, Denmark, June 2002. 6. Jepsen, M.T., Mathiesen, D., Munch-Petersen, C. and Bager, D.: Durability of Resource Saving Green Types of Concrete, featured at the proceedings FIBsymposium "Concrete and environment" in Berlin, October 2001 Shumacher, K. andSathayeJ.,IndiasCementIndustry:Produc vity,EnergyEciencyandCarbon Emissions, Energy Analysis Program, Environmental Energy Technologies Division, LawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratory,Berkeley,July1999.
7. Energy Technologies Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, July 1999 8. Glavind M. and Munch-Petersen C., Green Concrete in Denmark, Structural Concrete, 1(1), March 2000.

9. 11. http://www.greenconcretedenmark.dk/ 10. 12. http://www.perviousblog.com/ 11. http://www.scribd.com/doc/37245611/Green-Con