Eco innovative solutions with cement based materials developed by the gCons research group: past, present and future

Abstract :

Concrete is the most consumed commodity on the planet after water. The vast volumes of concrete consumed worldwide, as well as its essential role in construction implies that the application of innovative strategies for concrete translates into major repercussions at the economic, environmental and social levels. These innovative strategies can involve the development of new materials or new technologies.

In terms of new materials, concrete can be improved using alternative raw materials in its mix design. In this context many recycled concretes have been explored incorporating different type of recycled aggregates or using supplementary cementitious materials to substitute clinker. gCons group has developed an important research work in the field of aggregates from construction and demolition waste or aggregates form aquaculture, combining them with the incorporation of silica fume, metakaolin of ashes from other industrial activities as supplementary cementitious materials.

On other hand, frequent repairs of civil infrastructure over its service life are definitely unsustainable. In this case, some strategies that are being analysed in gCons group are the employment of presaturated porous aggregates, that can act as water reservoirs to internally cured concrete reducing shrinkage, the incorporation of self-healing agents, as bacteria, to seal small cracks or the use of fibers.

In parallel, the development of new advanced tools and techniques to suitably characterize new concretes appears as the most promising strategy to get the concrete of the future. In this context, the application of digital technologies to construction is ushering a revolution in the sector, particularly, concrete 3D printing.

Speakers : Dr Sindy Sear-Paz and Pr Belén Gonzalez, A-Coruna University, Spain