The construction sector is a significant contributor to global CO₂ emissions, with conventional cement manufacturing alone responsible for approximately 8% of the total. In response to the urgent demand for sustainable solutions, the scientific community is increasingly focusing on technologies that enable carbon-negative or carbon-neutral concrete production, aiming to reduce emissions and even sequester carbon within construction materials.
Promising approaches include the incorporation of industrial byproducts such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume, which ease the reliance on clinker while maintaining desirable strength and mechanical properties. Additionally, innovations like carbonated aggregates and CO₂ curing represent new frontiers in carbon capture within concrete.
While the environmental benefits of these advances are clear, a crucial knowledge gap remains: Can these sustainable concretes meet the structural performance requirements essential for real-world construction? Assessing the mechanical, durability, and load-bearing properties of novel mixes is vital to their widespread adoption.

Scope and Aims

This Research Topic seeks to address the challenges and opportunities in developing, analyzing, and implementing carbon-negative concrete for load-bearing structures. Of particular interest are papers that combine experimental investigations with computational modeling (e.g., finite element modelling—FEM), machine learning, and data-driven optimization to reliably predict the performance of sustainable mixes.

We welcome contributions that address:

o Novel mix designs utilizing fly ash, GGBS, silica fume, bio-based admixtures, or recycled aggregates.
o CO₂ curing, carbonation techniques, and their impacts on strength, durability, and carbon sequestration.
o Experimental and numerical analysis of structural elements (beams, columns, slabs) produced with carbon-negative concretes.
o Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and methods for measuring embodied carbon.
o Machine learning methods and multi-objective optimization for sustainable mix design, showcasing how AI-driven solutions can accelerate innovation and streamline research workflows.
o Practicality and application: Discussions relating to structural codes, policy, and industry implementation of carbon-negative concrete.

We encourage original research articles, experimental and computational studies, state-of-the-art reviews, and data-driven investigations that connect material innovation with structural performance. Manuscripts discussing the real-world applicability, regulatory considerations, and code development are particularly welcome.

Goal

This Topic aims to foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary platform for structural engineers, material scientists, sustainability experts, and computational researchers. By leveraging advances in non-destructive testing, material characterization, and AI-powered analytic tools, we can accelerate the adoption of carbon-negative construction materials—laying the groundwork for a more eco-efficient built environment.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Carbon-Negative Structural Concrete with Industrial Byproducts: Strength Modelling and Load-Bearing Analysis