Alternative binders for concrete: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Rapid population growth and urbanisation has entailed a strong motivation to develop more sustainable construction solutions in line with the 7th basic requirement for construction works sustainable use of natural resources. One of the strategies is to use materials available in abundant quantities as partial replacement for cement, or to create alternative binders for concrete. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the current state of the art in the field of alternative binders for concrete, and to point to the opportunities and challenges for their more systematic application in engineering practice. The state of the art review is connected to scientific projects currently undertaken at the Department of Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Zagreb, Croatia.