New AQC report on low carbon concrete

This document provides an overview of concretes with a reduced carbon footprint, identifies sensitive points in design and installation, and issues recommendations regarding their uses.

It is accompanied by a brochure Low carbon concrete - Good practices which synthesizes in an educational way the main sensitive points raised in the report.

Intended for all construction professionals, these documents can be downloaded from the AQC website.

With regard to the carbon neutrality objectives for 2050 of the National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC), French players in the concrete sector have undertaken studies and work to reduce their carbon footprint.

To date, uncertainties still need to be resolved on the definition of low and very low carbon concrete. In addition, a number of precautions must be taken before carrying out work that uses this type of concrete.

Based on a bibliographic study and surveys of professionals using low-carbon concrete, the report provides many lessons. Among the major points:

• the choice of a low-carbon concrete solution must first and foremost be part of a reduction of the carbon footprint at the building level and be integrated into an optimization of the sizing of the structure and a rationalization of material resources;
• the carbon footprint of a concrete must be reduced to a service rendered (functional unit) which can be multiple: mechanical resistance, behavior at young age, durability and resistance to aggressive environments, thermal performance, aesthetic function, fire resistance ... It It is therefore essential to seek the best performance / carbon footprint compromise for a given construction solution;
• While the subject remains globally innovative, low-carbon concretes using current techniques are now available and their insurability is therefore possible in most cases. Particular vigilance must nevertheless be brought to respect the specific conditions of implementation and curing (lengthening of stripping cycles, sensitivity to cracking due to shrinkage, precautions for use in winter) and training of teams.

An overview and categorization of low-carbon concretes are also offered and recommendations and points of vigilance are issued for their proper implementation and durability.

This study was carried out by the AQC accompanied by the SETEC-LERM, with the support of Ministry of Ecological Transition.

The report and the brochure can be downloaded free of charge from the website https://qualiteconstruction.com, under “Our Resources”.