Transforming Foundations: CEM VI Concrete Offers Low-Carbon Solutions

The construction industry is stepping up its game to tackle embodied carbon, and a recent project at Canary Wharf has set a benchmark for sustainable engineering. In the heart of London, an innovative concrete mix—CEM VI—has been trialled during the foundation works for a major development. This advanced mix is part of a broader initiative to lower carbon emissions in construction projects and aligns with net-zero carbon goals.

The engineering and design teams introduced CEM VI concrete, a multi-component mix that incorporates limestone fines alongside traditional materials like Portland cement and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS). By replacing a portion of the GGBS with limestone fines, the mix reduces the demand for GGBS, a globally constrained resource, while maintaining structural integrity. The inclusion of limestone fines, comprising 20% of the cementitious material, has successfully decreased the embodied carbon to an impressive 199 kgCO2e/m³.

The trial began with rigorous testing of the concrete’s workability, stability, and strength. This was followed by constructing a 900mm diameter, 25m deep test pile using continuous flight auger (CFA) techniques. The results demonstrated that the CEM VI concrete mix performed well during pumping, placement, and reinforcement cage installation, confirming its suitability for large-scale foundation applications.

These trials highlight a crucial shift towards sustainable construction methods, providing a viable alternative to traditional cementitious mixes. By embracing innovative technologies and collaborating with forward-thinking teams, projects like this pave the way for a more environmentally conscious future in geotechnical engineering.