Cellular concrete may be a viable low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete for earthquake-resistant structures

Investigators have found that a product called cellular concrete may be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional concrete for constructing earthquake-resistant buildings.

In research published in Structural Concrete, the team analyzed the environmental impact of constructing a seven-story archetype residential building in Quito-Ecuador with cellular concrete, which is produced by incorporating a foaming agent that generates air pockets within the concrete matrix to decrease the material’s density while maintaining sufficient structural integrity.

Compared with the production of traditional concrete, the production of cellular concrete required significantly less cement per unit volume and demonstrated notable reductions in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, emphasizing its potential as a low-carbon alternative.

In addition to its environmental benefits, cellular concrete reduces a building’s overall weight, which is particularly advantageous in earthquake-prone areas as a building’s mass plays a critical role in the forces that act on the structure during seismic events.

“While promising for developing cities, further research is essential to inform sustainable construction practices without compromising safety in seismic zones,” the authors wrote.