The construction industry is among the sectors with the highest carbon dioxide emissions, with a significant share originating from cement production – the key component of concrete. To reduce its carbon footprint, various measures have been introduced for several years, including the use of alternative fuels and mineral additives that partially replace cement clinker. Decarbonisation studies of the construction sector indicate that further progress is also required in the area of more efficient concrete design. A promising solution lies in the transition from the current approach, which is based on exposure classes and prescribed mix parameters (prescriptive approach), to a more advanced approach that verifies the performance of required concrete properties (performance-based approach). This thesis compares both approaches to concrete design. Following a literature review, laboratory tests are described that evaluate the effectiveness of the performance-based approach in achieving the required rheological properties of fresh concrete, as well as the compressive strength and carbonation resistance of hardened concrete. The carbon footprint of the tested mixes is also calculated. The results show that the performance-based approach reduces the carbon footprint of concrete by approximately 30% compared to a reference concrete produced in a batching plant in accordance with the requirements of the current standard, which is based on prescriptive mix design.
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