Selecting concrete resources
The major factor defining the environmental impacts of concrete is the amount of cement in the product which depends on the concrete strength class (e.g. C25/30 in Europe). If you cannot find the exact product you are using, choose one that has the same strength class.
Please note that any concrete slab includes also reinforcement steel. The name of the concrete resource tells you if the reinforcement is included or has to be added separately.
Here's how to select the most suitable resource for the specific concrete element
Hollow-core concrete slabs: there are a lot of EPDs available and they can be added by the total area or volume of the element. Make sure you choose one with the correct thickness so that the amount of air in the element will be calculated correctly.
Concrete slabs: check that the amount of concrete is correct and if the element includes reinforcement. Make sure to include reinforcement separately if it's not included in the resource.
Sandwich elements and other wall elements: if you cannot find the exact product from the manufacturer, add concrete and insulation layers separately (check the above guidance for concrete).
Concrete strength classes:
Concrete type
| Strength class
| Generally used for:
|
|---|
C20 / GEN 3
| 20 Newton (mPa)/28 day strength
| Foundations for large walls, garages,
houses & extensions
|
C25 / ST 2
| 25 Newton (mPa)/28 day strength
| Footings, foundations and reinforced bases
for houses & extensions
|
C30 / PAV1 / ST 3
| 30 Newton (mPa)/28 day strength
| Pavement construction, paving external kennels
and reinforced hard standings
|
C35 / PAV2
| 35 Newton (mPa)/28 day strength
| Raft foundations, piling, external slabbing and pacing, and
reinforced bases for commercial buildings
|
C40
| 40 Newton (mPa)/28 day strength
| Construction of structural and support beams
footings and foundations, roadworks
|
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