This project will evaluate the potential for fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) to reduce embodied energy and CO2 emissions of concrete structures. The project will link together materials performance, structural design and life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess the embodied environmental impact of FRC structures compared with normal reinforced concrete. This integrated approach will facilitate the development of the tools necessary for future built assets to be designed with due regard to their impact on the global climate. A range of structural elements (slabs and beams) will be designed using existing design codes and guidelines. Loading requirements, span, concrete strength and fibre reinforcement will be used as variables. Increased service life requirements, such as the 100-120 years now being specified for major infrastructure projects will also be included in this design phase. The designs will then be tested for greenhouse gas impact and embodied energy using appropriate UK (PAS2050) and international standards (EN15804). This will enable the quantification of carbon savings for representative structural elements. Suitable functional units based on structural performance will be developed, to replace the more common but unsuitable mass units often quoted in texts. Life-cycle assessment will then be carried out incorporating cradle to grave boundaries including challenges in recycling FRC. A hierarchy of sources of inventory information ranging from primary data from industrial partners to databases such as the Inventory of Carbon and Energy or Ecoinvent will be used in the analysis. Carbon footprints of elements designed to existing guidelines as well as elements designed for improved service life will be compared to assess the carbon, energy and material saving potential of fibre reinforced concrete structures.
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