Article
Open Access
Assessing the low-carbon potential of magnesium silicate hydrate cement: a probabilistic life cycle approach
1 Key Laboratory of Urban Security and Disaster Engineering of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering and Structural Retrofit, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
2 Chongqing Research Institute of Beijing University of Technology, Chongqing 401121, China
3 Hebei Institute of Architecture Civil Engineering, Hebei University of Architecture, Zhangjiakou 075132, China
  • Volume
  • Citation
    Li Y, Luo X, Liu X, Zhang Z, Meng K, et al. Assessing the low-carbon potential of magnesium silicate hydrate cement: a probabilistic life cycle approach. Smart Constr. 2025(2):0012, https://doi.org/10.55092/sc20250012. 
  • DOI
    10.55092/sc20250012
  • Copyright
    Copyright2025 by the authors. Published by ELSP.
Abstract

Magnesium silicate hydrate cement (MSHC), as an innovative low-carbon cementitious material, is considered a potential substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, uncertainties in the carbon emission factors of raw materials and mix proportions pose challenges for assessing its life cycle carbon emissions. This study employs a probabilistic life cycle assessment (PLCA) to evaluate the carbon emission intensity of MSHC and analyze its uncertainties. Leveraging machine learning techniques, a predictive model for the carbon emission intensity of MSHC was developed, and sensitivity analysis was conducted on various characteristic parameters. The results indicate that although MSHC is regarded as a low-carbon material, it does not exhibit low-carbon characteristics in all scenarios compared to OPC. The carbon emission intensity of MSHC is closely related to its mix proportions. Depending on different mix proportions, the average carbon emissions of MSHC range from 0.174 to 1.419 kg CO2e/kg. L-MgO is a key factor influencing the uncertainty of MSHC carbon emissions. Notably, the Mg/Si ratio is a critical factor influencing the carbon emission characteristics of MSHC, with a low-carbon threshold range observed between approximately 0.8 and 1.0.

Keywords

magnesium silicate hydrate cement; carbon emissions; probabilistic life cycle assessment; uncertainty analysis; machine learning

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