Model-Based Methods to Produce Greener Metakaolin Composite Concrete

oleh: Ki-Bong Park, Run-Sheng Lin, Yi Han, Xiao-Yong Wang

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-11-01

Deskripsi

Metakaolin is reactive and is widely used in the modern concrete industry. This study presents an integrated strength–sustainability evaluation framework, which we employed in the context of metakaolin content in concrete. First, a composite hydration model was employed to calculate reactivity of metakaolin and cement. Furthermore, a hydration-based linear equation was designed to evaluate the compressive strength development of metakaolin composite concrete. The coefficients of the strength evaluation model are constants for different mixtures and ages. Second, the sustainability factors—CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, resource consumption, and energy consumption—were determined based on concrete mixtures. Moreover, the sustainability factors normalized for unit strength were obtained based on the ratios of total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, energy consumption, and resource consumption to concrete strength. The results of our analysis showed the following: (1) As the metakaolin content increased, the normalized CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and resource consumption decreased, and the normalized energy first decreased and then slightly increased. (2) As the concrete aged from 28 days to three months, the normalized CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, resource consumption, and energy consumption decreased. (3) As the water/binder ratio decreased, the normalized CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, resource consumption, and energy consumption decreased. Summarily, the proposed integrated strength–sustainability evaluation framework is useful for finding greener metakaolin composite concrete.