Effect of Transportation of Fly Ash: An LCA and LCCA Analysis of Concrete

Author(s): Daman Panesar and Deepak Kanraj
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 71st RILEM Annual Week & ICACMS 2017,Chennai,India, 3rd -8th September 2017
Editor(s): Manu Santhanam
Ravindra Gettu
Radhakrishna G. Pillai
Sunitha K. Nayar
ISBN: 978-2-35158-196-4
ISBN: 978-2-35158-190-2 (Set)
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-191-9:
Publisher: Published by RILEM Publications S.A.R.L.
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 656-665
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: In some countries, the use of fly ash in construction is limited due to its quality, local
availability and transportation cost incurred. The purpose of the study is to determine the
effect of transportation of fly ash on the sustainability of concrete infrastructure. A
comparative life cycle analysis (LCA) and a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) are carried out
for concrete mix designs with fly ash belonging to two grades of strength. These are
compared against concrete mix designs that do not contain any fly ash. The performance of
these mix designs was tested in two levels of chloride exposure. A comparison between
trucks and rail as the mode of transport for fly ash has been carried out. The primary
outcomes of the study are two-fold: a) for both (high and low) levels of chloride exposure,
the LCA and LCCA analyses reveal that concrete containing fly ash is more economical and
has lower global warming potential compared to concrete without fly ash and b) although
both rail and trucks are almost indistinguishable with regards to performance in LCA, the
LCCA results for fly ash transport by rail is more economical. Regardless of the mode of
transportation, it was found incorporating fly ash in concrete to be both environmentally and
economically benefitting even when transported for 800 km, which was considered as the
maximum transportation distance for fly ash in this study.

Online publication : 2017
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00