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Embodied CO2 for different construction materials
Concrete*Concrete typeECO2 (kgCO2/m3)ECO2 (kgCO2/tonne)
Trench foundations%3Csup%3E1%3C/sup%3EGEN1 120 mm18480
Reinforced Foundations%3Csup%3E1%3C/sup%3ERC30 70 mm318132
Ground floors%3Csup%3E1%3C/sup%3ERC35 70 mm315133
Structural: in situ floors, superstructure, walls, basements%3Csup%3E1%3C/sup%3ERC40 70 mm372153
High strength concrete%3Csup%3E1%3C/sup%3ERC50 70mm436176
Dense concrete aggregate block%3Csup%3E2%3C/sup%3Eprecast block14775
Aerated concrete block%3Csup%3E2%3C/sup%3Eprecast block121240
Generic lightweight aggregate block%3Csup%3E3%3C/sup%3Eprecast block168120
Structural steel   
Structural steel%3Csup%3E4%3C/sup%3E 153131932
Timber    
Timber and timber based materials (eg chipboard)%3Csup%3E5%3C/sup%3E 141-512336-819
Notes   
1. Draft-in-proof, Arup research commissioned by TCC, Embodied CO2 of various concrete mixes, 2006
2. BRE Environmental Profiles database, 2006
3. Personal communication with the Environment Division, BREEAM Centre, Building Research Establishment, UK, 2005
4. Amato A and Eaton K J., A Comparative Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Modern Office Buildings, The Steel Construction Institute, Ascot, 1998.
5. Rosso S, Environmental life-cycle of kitchen refurbishment, Thesis in School of Environment (Interim), University of Brighton, 2006
*Using Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS or slag) or Fly Ash in concrete, either as a mixer addition or through a factory made cement significantly reduces the overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of concrete. The reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from the values in the table above can be as high as 70%, depending on the concrete mix design and the application.