The Science and Technology of Sustainable Concrete

Concrete is the most commonly used material in infrastructure and building construction, and its annual global consumption is over 15 billion tons. The production of Portland cement, a major component in concrete, accounts for about 5-7% of man-made CO₂ emission in the world. To enhance the sustainability of concrete structures, several approaches can be adopted. To reduce the amount of cement employed, it can be replaced by industrial by-products with pozzolanic properties. By improving the material performance, a smaller volume of concrete can be used to sustain the applied loading (both during serviceability and ultimate states). With enhanced durability, concrete structures can last longer without major repair or re-construction. In addition, functional properties of concrete such as thermal insulation (which reduces energy consumption in buildings), self-sensing and self-healing can also contribute to sustainability.

Concrete is a multi-phase material, with its properties affected by mechanisms at many different scales. To design sustainable concrete, it is crucial to understand the fundamental material science behind its behavior, in particular at the nanoscopic and microscopic scales. On the engineering side, many innovative approaches have been developed to improve the properties of concrete at it fresh and hardened stages, as well as in the long term. In particular, the adoption of nanotechnologies has shown great promise. A state-of-the-Art review of such technologies and its link to material science will set the stage for further improvements. In this Gordon Research Conference, we will bring together international experts to share recent findings on the science and engineering aspects of sustainable concrete. We hope to provide a venue for stimulating discussions that would establish the important link between engineering technologies and material science, which would set the stage for further developments in this important research field.