Concrete, Flyash, and the Environment - Proceedings
A forum held 8 December 1998 - Sponsored by EHDD Architecture and Pacific Energy Center
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Introduction
These Proceedings are from a Forum entitled "Concrete, Flyash,
and the Environment" that took place in San Francisco on December 8, 1998. The
purpose of the Forum was two-fold. First, to educate architects and engineers about
the performance, quality, and environmental advantages of using high volume flyash
concrete mix designs. Second, to have a serious and constructive dialogue among all
the participants in the design and construction industries about what is needed in
order for architects and engineers to specify high flyash mixes. Participants were
encouraged to raise any questions or concerns they had, so these issues could be
addressed head on. Some of the major themes of the evening included:
Extensive research and testing has already been done on concrete in which flyash
replaces 50-60% of the cement. This technology is now ready to be introduced into
the commercial sector.
High volume flyash concrete has exceptional performance and durability benefits,
at lower costs than ordinary concrete mixes.
Manufacturing cement has major environmental impacts. It contributes 7-8% of all
human generated global emissions of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas responsible
for global warming.
One issue engineers and others at the Forum wanted more data on was the effect of
flyash on the rate of strength gain. CANMET testing has shown that such mixes "do
not show unacceptable retardation." To quantify how our local materials will
perform in these mix designs, we have begun a testing and demonstration program that
will include lab tests, field tests, and demonstration projects using local materials,
producers, and experts. The work will be done by Jon Asselanis at Schwein/Christensen
Laboratories, Burt Lockwood at Shamrock Materials, and P.K. Mehta. An array of concrete
properties including the rate of strength gain will be tested, and the results will
be reviewed by a committee including the Forum panelists, and structural engineers
from several major Bay Area firms. Results of the testing will be distributed as
they are completed.
For additional information, contact Scott Shell at EHDD Architects, SShell@EHDD.com.
Permission is granted to reproduce these proceedings.