According to the Equivalent Concrete Performance Concept a concrete composition, deviating from the EN 206-1, can still be accepted, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled.
A concrete composition not composed by the standard EN 206âÂÂ1, can be acknowledged, only if the new concrete shows a performance equal to the standardized concrete concerning environmental classes. Cement content and water-cement ratio are important elements hereby. The comparison with standardized concrete is tested according to the following properties:
When the new concrete scores equally or better, a certificate of utilization can be obtained from certificating organizations.
The valid standards concerning concrete are:
These national annexes serve to elaborate the functional description of the Equivalent Concrete Performance Concept.
Standardized concrete is a highly durable material, predominantly thanks to the increasing amount of cement at stricter environmental classes. But cement is a costly component and has a relatively powerful impact on the environment. <br /> Partly because of this, alternative binders such as fly ashes and slags are applied in the concrete sector. As a result, the content of Portland cement can be reduced in many cases. Other recycled raw materials can also contribute to a more economic or less environmental polluting concrete composition. <br /> 1. Usage of residual products from the concrete industry, for example stone dust (from crushing aggregates), concrete slurry (from washing mixers) or concrete waste<br /> 2. Usage of residual products from other industries, for example fly ash from coal plants and slags from the metallurgical industry<br /> 3. Usage of new types of cement with reduced environmental impact (mineralized cement, limestone addition, waste-derived fuels)
To respect the Kyoto Protocol, the -emission should be reduced. Green concrete exists out of recycling or is composed is such a manner, that it is as environmental-friendly as possible. A few conditions before the term green concrete may be used: