Hygrothermal and mechanical performance of sustainable concrete: A simulated comparison of mix designs

Given that concrete is the second most-consumed resource in the world after water, and that most buildings are constructed in whole or in part of this cement composite, it is important to understand the impact that this material has on energy performance. In order to evaluate the hygrothermal and mechanical performance of concrete when used in buildings, this study compared different sustainable concrete mix designs. Properties such as density, porosity, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity of four different mixes were analyzed through hygrothermal simulations using WUFI® Plus software. Test results reveal that the hygrothermal performance of concrete can be enhanced without diminishing the value of its mechanical properties, while reducing CO₂ emissions at the same time. It was also found that the use of recycled aggregates coupled with supplementary cementitious materials can give a high strength concrete with lower environmental impacts in terms of energy consumption and carbon footprint.