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2026 Vol.17, Issue 1 Preview Page

General Article

Development of eco-efficient concrete using supplementary cementitious materials, waste aggregates, crumb rubber, and fibers
Mohd Rafiq Mir1*
,
Parameshwar Neelkantayya Hiremath2
1Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, India
*Corresponding Author
31 March 2026. pp. 95-117
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Abstract

The extensive use of concrete imposes significant environmental burdens, primarily due to high CO2 emissions from cement production and excessive consumption of natural resources. This study aims to enhance the sustainability of concrete through systematic use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), along with crumb rubber, copper slag (CS), and recycled coarse aggregates (RCA), as partial replacements for binders and aggregates. A five-stage optimization approach was adopted. Cement was replaced up to 50% using FA (10–50%), GGBS (10–50%), and RHA (10–30%); fine aggregate were replaced with crumb rubber (10–20%) and copper slag sand (25–50%); and coarse aggregate were replaced up to 50% with recycled aggregates and copper slag aggregates (25–50%). Steel fibers (1–2%) were incorporated to improve mechanical performance. All replacements were carried out on a volume basis. The optimum binder composition of 50% cement, 35% GGBS, and 15% FA achieved strength superior than control mix at 56 days. A combination of 10% crumb rubber and 25% copper slag sand showed no adverse effect on strength, while copper slag aggregates performed better than recycled aggregates. Steel fiber inclusion at 1.5% further enhanced flexural performance. Life cycle assessment confirmed notable reductions in embodied energy and global warming potential, demonstrating improved eco-efficiency.

Keywords
eco-efficient concrete
multi-scm optimization
life cycle assessment (LCA)
embodied energy reduction
carbon footprint mitigation
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Information
  • Publisher :Sustainable Building Research Center (ERC) Innovative Durable Building and Infrastructure Research Center
  • Publisher(Ko) :건설구조물 내구성혁신 연구센터
  • Journal Title :International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development
  • Volume : 17
  • No :1
  • Pages :95-117
  • Received Date : 2025-12-10
  • Accepted Date : 2026-02-20
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22712/susb.20260007
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