Life cycle assessment of facade solutions made of durable reactive powder concrete

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) has become an important material for durable building envelope solutions in form of curtain walls or façade panels. RPC, also known as ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), has a very dense micro structure and reaches compressive strength beyond 120 MPa. In conjunction with fibers or textile reinforcement it shows a ‘quasi’ ductile behavior. As a drawback it is often regarded as not so environmentally sustainable due to the high amount of cement used. This study investigates therefore the environmental aspects of façade panels consisting of RPC. Solutions with different mix proportions and reinforcement types will be analyzed and compared with elements made of standard steel reinforced concrete. The analysis will not only consider the results of the bulk material but also view it in the context of the entire façade elements. The life cycle assessment (LCA) does also approach the durability related aspects of the reactive powder concrete and alternative reinforcement materials.