How can concrete pavements reach carbon neutrality? In this research brief, the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) outlines the various strategies to reduce the emissions of concrete and present a pathway by which the concrete in the U.S. pavement network could attain carbon neutrality by 2050.
The contribution of concrete’s embodied impacts to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has received increased attention in recent years. This is particularly the case with concrete pavements, the main consumer of cement after buildings. Though embodied emissions make up just a portion of concrete’s total life cycle impacts, addressing these impacts directly is crucial to reaching the goal of carbon-neutral* concrete. To help guide decarbonization, this brief outlines the various strategies needed to reduce and offset the embodied impacts of concrete in the U.S. pavement network.
This brief covers:
Low-carbon Concrete in Context
Modeling Emissions Reductions
Reaching Carbon Neutrality
Related Links
• CSHub Embodied Carbon Research and CSHub Pavements Research:
The MIT CS Hub explores innovative solutions for concrete engineering applications. For pavements, research focuses on improving structure and design that can result in increased fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and better life cycle planning. Here, you can explore CSHub‘s pavements research by topic, review links in the sidebar (on desktop browsers) or at the bottom of the page (on mobile browsers)
Fact sheets and infographics on the resources section-CSHub website: https://cshub.mit.edu/resources
Key Takeaways:
• Concrete mixtures with zero embodied carbon can be attained by 2050 using the simultaneous benefits of reduction, replacement, reuse, recycling, and CO2 sequestration solutions.
• Alternative cements and carbon capture strategies can mitigate around 60% of the GHG emissions between 2017 and 2050 compared to a ‘no change’ scenario.
• Technical and economical barriers, as well as market acceptance, should be considered in future work to investi- gate the feasibility of these solutions in different regions.
Click to go to VIDEO on YouTube
VIDEO titled “Pavement-Related Research at the MIT CSHub” with Jeremy Gregory, Executive Director-CSHub:
Pavements-related research by the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub focuses on improving pavement design, maintenance, and network management, which can lead to increased fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and better life cycle planning. Topics discussed include life cycle assessment; life cycle cost analysis; pavement vehicle interaction; and pavement albedo: VIDEO: https://cshub.mit.edu/pavements or YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo9_ALsZGu8
Click to go to 3-page PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS:
MIT CSHub page: https://cshub.mit.edu/news/research-brief-solutions-carbon-neutral-concrete-us-pavements
RESEARCH Brief: CSHub Research Brief | Volume 2021, Issue 5 | Hessam AzariJafari | E-mail: hessam@mit.edu https://cshub.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/0803%20Carbon%20Neutral%20Pavements%20Research%20Brief.pdf
VIDEO: https://cshub.mit.edu/pavements or YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo9_ALsZGu8
MIT CSHub Job Opening: Principal Research Scientist/Executive Director
The MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub has posted an opening for their Principal Research Scientist/Executive Director. This person will develop and implement a strategic vision to enhance sustainability and resilience in the concrete industry. Key responsibilities include the management of a research portfolio in collaboration with industry partners, fostering student engagement and advising student research, and formulating communications and outreach strategies. In addition to extensive research and leadership experience, applicants should possess the superlative verbal and written communications skills required to communicate and advance CSHub’s work to key audiences in the realms of infrastructure, sustainability, and resilience.
For the complete role description and application details, please go to: https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_mit/external/en-us/gateway/viewFromLink.html?jobPostId=21066&localeCode=en-us&referralCode=56754-35077-41236