Low-cement Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites: Balancing mechanical performance with environmental and economic metrics

Developments in the Built Environment, vol. 26, pp. 100918

Abstract

Industry reports document a surge in cement production in recent years, reaching 4.1 billion tonnes in 2022 and resulting in significant environmental burdens. While conventional supplementary cementitious materials often fail to meet construction demands, limestone calcined clay cements (LC 3 ) offer a promising alternative, reducing reliance on traditional raw materials while using abundant resources. This study evaluates the sustainability potential of strain-hardening cementitious composites based on LC 3 binders incorporating dispersed non-metallic synthetic fibers. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment in combination with an extended life cycle sustainable cost analysis was used to compare three clinker-to-binder weight ratios (50%, 35% and 25%) and three types of synthetic fiber: polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. This analysis also considers monetized environmental externalities. A mechanical performance indicator (work-to-fracture) was prioritized as the functional unit to meet the needs of engineering practice. This integrated framework revealed trade-offs and opportunities in material selection and optimization.

Authors 6

1. Isabela de Paula Salgado

   Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources · United Nations University · Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources, United Nations University, UNU-FLORES, 01067 Dresden, Germany

   Institute of Construction Materials, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany

2. Ameer Hamza Ahmed Aachen Cluster of Excellence CARE

   Climate-Neutral and Resource-Efficient Construction · Technische Universität Dresden · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Cluster of Excellence CARE, TU Dresden and RWTH Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Construction Materials, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany

3. Tobias Hatzfeld

   Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources · United Nations University · Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources, United Nations University, UNU-FLORES, 01067 Dresden, Germany

   Sustainability Management and Environmental Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany

4. Cesare Signorini corresponding Aachen Cluster of Excellence CARE

   Climate-Neutral and Resource-Efficient Construction · Technische Universität Dresden · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Cluster of Excellence CARE, TU Dresden and RWTH Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Construction Materials, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany

5. Edeltraud Guenther
6. Viktor Mechtcherine Aachen Cluster of Excellence CARE

   Climate-Neutral and Resource-Efficient Construction · Technische Universität Dresden · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Cluster of Excellence CARE, TU Dresden and RWTH Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Construction Materials, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany