De-carbonizing in construction using supplementary cementitious materials and accelerated carbonation technique - a review

The global community is moving towards reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from the production and use of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in construction while also promoting the use of waste materials as alternatives and environmentally friendly construction materials. This approach enhances the sustainable use of natural aggregates which are being rapidly depleted due to the rising construction activities, driven by the demand for housing and infrastructure linked to an exponentially growing population. Therefore, research into de-carbonizing in construction using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) that are eco-friendly and, the utilization of the accelerated carbonation technique (ACT) as a curing regime for developing green construction components cannot be overemphasized. This write-up aims to review the current state of knowledge on the use of SCMs as alternatives to OPC, highlight construction practices that encourage carbonation, and expatiate the use of ACT for the cementation of granular materials to produce green construction elements. With the possible barriers to their implementation being highlighted, investigations such as these will help researchers and practitioners better understand the potential of ACT and the use of SCMs as the solution to the sustainability challenges facing the construction industry.