Abstract

Concrete dominates the building industry as a construction material, frequently used due to its versatile, enormous application properties and the flexibility it offers. When just traditional concrete is considered, it contributes to only 8% of the total global warming potential. However, due to its countless vast applications, it’s energy and emissions consumption is up to roughly 35% and 38% respectively when compared with other industries. The study focuses on proposing three alternative low-carbon concrete materials with modified component chemical properties with reference to concrete itself and will test if any material could replace and surpass the benefits offered by concrete especially with lowering emissions. The alternative materials considered to compare are Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBFS), Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), and Limestone-based cement used in concrete have low-embodied carbon and will be tested for the same. The paper also intends to propose a replacement material with possibilities to make an environmentally conscious attempt while making construction material decisions.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Concrete construction--Environmental aspects; Concrete--Additives; Slag cement; Composite materials; Sustainable architecture; Sustainable buildings

Publication Date

12-18-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Department, Program, or Center

Architecture, Department of

College

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Advisor

Seth Holmes

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ARCH-MARCH

Download

Share

COinS