The opportunity

Concrete is a huge contributor to carbon emissions on projects. This case study outlines an innovative way in which boundaries are being pushed to significantly reduce the footprint of concrete in construction.

A different approach

Victoria Department of Transport and Planning is approving mixes that contain a higher level of cement replacement material than would usually be allowed. 

Australian Roads Research Board have approved a mix with 70% cement replacement with industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag. This is huge compared to the BAU cement replacement levels of 15%! An early project using this more sustainable option had carbon saving of around 4000 tonnes over 3 sites.

Performance of lower carbon concrete

In many ways, the lower-carbon concrete performs better than BAU mix. It’s more durable with regards to chemical attack and corrosion, and has a lower heat of hydration which reduces the risk of thermal cracking as the concrete sets.

There are still plenty of opportunities for the concrete to be utilised, especially in piling. The project team carrying out this work are considering more investigations and implementation of controls are being considered to work around this.

Fostering collaboration

Alliance models provide so much potential for collaboration which in term allows sustainability initiatives to get off the ground. When you are in a program alliance, and the client is in the tent with you, there are no barriers to sharing innovations or ideas. 

People involved in this particular project credit its success to the alliance model, saying that it fosters an environment in which innovation, sustainability and early adoption are incentivised and rewarded financially.