Title: Sustainable building with UHPC – Challenges and Limits

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/28/2011

Abstract:
Structures made with normal concrete are usually heavy and require considerable quantities of raw materials. Using ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) slender and light structural components with a reduced overall demand for resources can be made. UHPC opens up a field of completely new possibilities in construction industry. However, UHPC is currently produced with high cement content, a high content of high-performance superplasticizer and micro steel fibres. These energy-intensive materials partially offset the advantages of a light structure. The extent to which the environmental effects of constructions can be reduced by using UHPC is therefore investigated with the help of life cycle assessment methods (LCA). The evaluation of ecological impact was performed using the CML method where results were obtained for the impact categories global warming, ozone depletion in the stratosphere, summer smog, i.e. photo chemical ozone creation, acidification and eutrophication. Design models are analyzed for both UHPC and normal concrete in a 45 m single span traffic bridge with precast girders.