An assessment of the carbon footprint of concrete mixtures in relation to early strength development, evaluated using various maturity models

This research aims to establish robust strength-maturity correlations for concrete produced using various cement binders, along with a comprehensive assessment of the carbon footprint of ready-mix concretes manufactured with each cement type. The study employs two maturity calculation methods: the Time-Temperature Factor (TTF) approach and the weighted maturity method, to evaluate early strength development. Six cement binders were tested, including CEM I 42.5R, CEM V/A (S-V) 32.5R-LH, and various CEM II variants. The heat of hydration for each binder was measured, and the development of mechanical properties was monitored through temperature measurements and compressive strength tests. Additionally, a carbon footprint analysis was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of the ready-mix concrete in relation to its early strength development. The results confirm significant variations in strength development, with rapid growth observed in concretes containing CEM 42.5 classes, whereas slower strength gain was noted in concretes manufactured with CEM II/B-M (V-LL) 32.5R and CEM V/A 32.5R-LH. At the same time, binders with slower early strength development are characterized by a significantly lower carbon footprint, contributing to the positive environmental impacts of the investigated mixtures produced with low-emission binders. These findings underscore the challenges of balancing the use of low-emission binders with the construction industry's demand for accelerated processes.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).