CONCRETop - A multi-criteria decision method for concrete optimization

CONCRETop is a novel multi-criteria decision method developed by the authors of this study for concrete optimization, which can be used to optimize either conventional or non-conventional concrete mixes. It can be used to identify the main differences between concrete mixes in terms of three perspectives, namely quality performance, environmental impacts and cost efficiency, and the corresponding causes. The characteristics of concrete fundamentally depend on its target application (e.g. the structural design project). In other words, it depends on the requested characteristics demanded by the consumer. However, this method allows optimizing concrete mixes based on the three mentioned perspectives even if the specific characteristics of concrete for the selected application are unknown. For complicated cases like this one, five scenarios (business as usual, green, strength, service life, and cost) were proposed with different threshold values, in order to cover most of the construction cases (the majority of concrete applications). The major outcome of this method is to provide researchers with a validated approach to support the development of non-conventional materials with optimized technical performance and minimum cost, environmental impact and natural resources' consumption. The method is valid for any case studies and concrete mixes worldwide. Most importantly, this optimization process may change how we take care of the next generation and find sustainable alternative materials for the concrete industry.