Title:
Approaches to Teaching the Sustainability and Resiliency of Concrete Materials
Author(s):
Mary U. Christiansen, Srishti Banerji, Andrea J. Schokker, Matt O’Reilly
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
367
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
43-55
Keywords:
concrete, sustainability, resiliency, low carbon, life-cycle, environmental product declarations, EPD, material selection
DOI:
10.14359/51750591
Date:
3/1/2026
Abstract:
The construction industry is one of the world’s largest drivers of environmental impact, consuming large quantities of energy, water, and raw materials while generating significant carbon emissions. Concrete is a central contributor, with portland cement production alone responsible for roughly 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions. As decarbonization becomes a priority, demand for sustainable, resilient, low-carbon concrete materials is accelerating innovation in binder systems, mixture strategies, and design practices. For civil engineering students and future professionals, understanding the environmental impacts of concrete and methods to reduce them without compromising performance is essential. This paper presents an advanced concrete materials course reframed through the lens of sustainability and resiliency. Teaching strategies and resources are described, including in-class activities, laboratory demonstrations, case studies, mixture design competitions, and applied project work. Collectively, these methods emphasize decision-making in material selection, mixture proportioning, and design for long-term durability and performance of concrete structures.
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