POTENTIALS FOR REDUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION USING HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

New composite high performance silicate materials could be used for construction of more strong, more durable and at the same time slender structures, leading to reduction of environmental impacts associated with the use of primary natural sources. Experimental investigation and case studies performed by authors support the expectation that it will be possible to reach factor 3 ([1] Factor Four: Doubling Wealth – Halving Resource Use) or even more while keeping structural reliability on the needed high level. Moreover, high performance material properties (higher ductility, fire safety, water tightness, frost resistance, etc.) make structures more durable and more resistant against climatic effects and also safer in case of exceptional loads (like climatic disasters or terrorist attacks). This all creates the potential for wider application of HPC in building construction in the future. A comparison of environmental profiles of six variants of RC floor structures from concrete C30/37, HPC105 and HPC140 is presented and discussed.