Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Conventional, Glass Powder, and Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete and Mortar

AbstractThis study compares the cradle-to-gate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), energy use, water use, and potential environmental toxicity of conventional (Conv), glass powder (GP), and alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete and mortar. The comparison is based on 1  m3 of concrete/mortar with similar 28-day compressive strength, so the same concrete/mortar member with same dimensions may be manufactured from Conv, GP, or AAS materials and used for same applications. The result shows that compared to a 35-MPa Conv concrete, a 35-MPa GP concrete has, on average, 19% lower GHGs, 17% less energy, 14% less water, and 14–21% lower environmental toxicity. A 35-MPa AAS concrete has 73% lower GHGs, 43% less energy, 25% less water, and 22–94% lower effects for all environmental toxicity categories except an 72% higher ecotoxicity effect. Environmental impact reductions are also found for using GP as a cement replacement in concrete with lower strengths and replacing cement with GP or AAS in mortars with different st...

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