Problems Addressed
Approximately 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy use of buildings (known as Operational Carbon). Additionally, nearly 10% come from the greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing, transportation, and construction of building materials (known as Embodied Carbon). According to the 2022-2023 survey results of greenhouse gas organization, 95% of Kedge Construction’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the embodied carbon of building materials in Scope 3. Kedge Construction is actively promoting carbon reduction, starting with the structural components that have the highest carbon emissions, and seeking building materials with lower embodied carbon.
Our Actions
Using limestone cement (PLC) to replace Portland cement is currently an internationally recognized effective method for reducing carbon. By increasing the limestone content from 5% to 15%, carbon emissions can be effectively reduced by about 8-10%. Although PLC concrete is widely used internationally, domestic standards and supporting measures are not yet complete. In response, starting from January 2014, Kedge Construction took the lead in collaboration with Asia Cement, Tung Ho Steel, the Taiwan Construction Research Institute, and the Department of Civil Engineering at National Cheng Kung University to promote the PLC low-carbon concrete seismic testing project.
Execution Method
To explore the seismic resistance of beams and columns using low-embodied carbon mix concrete composed of Portland limestone cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and fly ash from coal-fired power plants, this testing project used static structural experiments. The experiments simulated the lateral force and displacement relationship of beams and columns under earthquake impacts through repeated displacement loading. The aim was to review the strength development, stiffness degradation, displacement ductility, and energy dissipation capacity of each component. Upon completion of the tests in May 2024, results will be published through seminars and papers, serving as a reference for the engineering and construction industries in using low-embodied carbon ratio PLC concrete.