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Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Building Blocks—Diagnosing Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Raine Isaksson

    (Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Max Rosvall

    (Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Arezou Babaahmadi

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Apollo Buregyeya

    (Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda)

  • Amrita Hazarika

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Joseph Mwiti Marangu

    (Department of Physical Sciences, Meru University of Science & Technology, Meru 972-60200, Kenya)

  • Kolawole Olonade

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 101017, Nigeria)

  • Swaminathan Ramanathan

    (Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Anthony Rucukye

    (Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda)

  • Luca Valentini

    (Department of Geosciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy)

Abstract

Sustainable building should at least be affordable and carbon neutral. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a region struggling with housing affordability. Residential buildings are often constructed using block-based materials. These are increasingly produced using ordinary Portland cement (PC), which has a high carbon footprint. Using alternative Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) for block production might reduce the footprint and price. The purpose is to assess the level of information for SCM use in blocks in SSA and to use this information for Diagnosing the improvement potential as part of an Opportunity Study. Results from the scoping review show that aggregated information on SCMs and the quantities available is limited. Diagnosing the theoretical improvement potential in using cassava peel ash, rice husk ash, corn cob ash, volcanic ash and calcined clays, indicates that SCMs could represent a yearly value of approximately USD 400 million, which could be transferred from buying cement to local production. The use of SCMs could save 1.7 million tonnes of CO 2 per year and create some 50,000 jobs. About 5% of the PC used for block production could be substituted, indicating that, in addition to using SCMs, other solutions are needed to secure production of sustainable blocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Raine Isaksson & Max Rosvall & Arezou Babaahmadi & Apollo Buregyeya & Amrita Hazarika & Joseph Mwiti Marangu & Kolawole Olonade & Swaminathan Ramanathan & Anthony Rucukye & Luca Valentini, 2023. "Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Building Blocks—Diagnosing Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:5822-:d:1108817
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raine Isaksson & Oluwayomi Babatunde, 2019. "Opportunities for improved sustainability in house building: The case of Dar es Salaam," African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(4), pages 457-463, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sanaz Soltaninejad & Seyed Morteza Marandi & Naveen BP, 2023. "Performance Evaluation of Clay Plastic Concrete of Cement and Epoxy Resin Composite as a Sustainable Construction Material in the Durability Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-32, June.

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