Creative Commons

This dissertation was written as part of the MSc in Energy Building Design at the International Hellenic University. Studying history over the centuries, it can be found, that concrete has always been the main construction material mixture. It consists of cement, water, aggregate materials such as gravel and sand, and chemical additives. These materials in specific proportions, co-operate in harmony in order to present the final product. In cases of building constructions, concrete has many uses. It is used in the construction of slab floors, beams, columns and buildings’ foundations. This mixture is produced in special concrete production units, where the materials are mixed with a particular methodology, in order to give the appropriate result. Before it leaves the production unit, for its final destination, which is the construction site, concrete is subjected to laboratory tests to ensure its quality and durability. The compressive strength of concrete is the most important property, that should be checked in the laboratory very carefully. As it can be seen from nine different case studies, that carried out in the laboratory, each quality of concrete is unique and has its own properties. Concrete can play a dominant role in sustainable development, as its great advantage is its high thermal mass, which provides thermal stability to the interior of a building. This has also a financial benefit for the users, who save amounts of money for heating their home or their office. Moreover, new types and compositions of concrete are proposed by the scientific community, such as the geopolymer and the pervious concrete, for a green future on Earth.