ACA Presents: Low Carbon Concrete: 3 Engineers' Perspectives

Low carbon concrete is more relevant than ever. Most modern construction projects seek ways to reduce their environmental impact. Designers now have a range of strategies available to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, including the use of blended cements, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and optimized structural solutions such as post-tensioned girders, parametric elements, and high-strength concrete. With so many options, which strategy should a project team prioritize?

This panel session features three compelling case studies, each highlighting a distinct approach to carbon reduction. The TSX Broadway project utilized a 40% slag replacement and incorporated cleverly designed post-tensioned girders, while retaining 25% of the existing structure. The Amazon Web Services test panels focused on optimizing the concrete mixture using blended cements and assessing the impact on field practices. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art project showcased a highly efficient voided slab design, resulting in an impressive carbon reduction for the concrete.