Concrete

Supplementary cementing materials (SCMs), such as fly ash, slag, silica fume, and natural pozzolans, make a significant difference to the properties of concrete but are rarely understood in any detail. SCMs can influence the mechanical properties of concrete and improve its durability in aggressive environments.

The concrete industry has embraced innovation and ensured high levels of long-term performance and sustainability through creative applications in design and construction. As a construction material, the versatility of concrete and its intrinsic benefits mean it is still well placed to meet challenges of the construction industry. Indeed, concrete has kept evolving to satisfy ever more stringent, as well as demanding design requirements and calls to improve the performance. This has been achieved through the introduction of new constituent materials, technologies and construction methods.