construction

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a cement plant with a large vacuum cleaner labeled "CCS" hovering over it

Cement Is One Of Few Industries Where Carbon Capture May Be Competitive In Niches

As concrete month draws nearer to a close, it’s time to look at an option not previously explored, continuing to use limestone but bolting on carbon capture and paying for waste disposal in permanent sequestration sites. After fifteen years of assessing carbon capture technologies, pilots and proposals, this is one … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated anoramic image of a concrete truck pouring US paper money into a construction site's foundation

Decarbonizing Cement & Concrete Is Noble, But Why Will Developers Pay For It?

During what has become concrete month, I’ve explored the full range of actual and purported solutions to the climate problem that is the cement, steel, and concrete used in construction. The industry’s emissions are high, with every ton of reinforced concrete having a carbon debt of 0.3-0.4 tons of carbon … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a building wrapped in carbon fiber

Steel Reinforcement Is The Invisible Miracle Of Concrete Construction, But Comes With A Carbon Price

Reinforced concrete was invented in the mid-19th century, a game-changer in the construction world. French gardener Joseph Monier is often credited with its creation. While experimenting with materials to build stronger garden pots and tubs, he had the idea to combine concrete with iron mesh in 1849. Monier patented his … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a bauxite refinery with a red mud pond and a cement plant beside it

Just When I Thought I Was Done With Cement Replacements, A Look At Geopolymers

One of the many people who have suggested I look at something in the space of cement and concrete decarbonization suggested red mud. All I knew was that it had something to do with aluminum, and hence I thought it would be another metal slag supplement to cement. You know … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a river bed sand dredge with a concrete plant in the background

How Much Does Sand, Grit, & Gravel Add To Concrete Carbon Emissions?

During concrete day… errr … week … errr … verging on two weeks this time, I’ve explored a lot of carbon emissions solutions for the full value chain of the gray glue that ensures our buildings don’t collapse, our bridges stay up, and our underground working chambers don’t pancake. We … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of epoxy concrete being mixed

Epoxy Concrete Won’t Solve Cement Emissions Problem

As I’ve been looking at solutions that people are proposing for eliminating cement’s high carbon dioxide emissions, a set of criteria are clearly emerging to assess whether they are going to be material. These include the source material availability, cost, and distribution. They include integration into worksites. They include the … [continued]