Current situation with the production and use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete construction in Canada

Abstract

The data gathered on the current situation of supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) in Canada have shown that around 524 000, 347 000, and 37 000 t of fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), and silica fume were used in cement and concrete applications in 2001, respectively, which represents 11%, 90%, and 185% of the quantity produced. The remaining 10% of GGBFS produced was used in the US, and 17 000 t of silica fume were imported from the US and Norway to meet market demand. Fly ash appears to be the only material that is underused and that represents a potential for increased use of SCMs in Canada. For the GGBFS, the quantity produced can be increased if the demand increases. This investigation has shown, however, that there are policy, technical, and economic barriers to the increased use of SCMs in Canada. Some solutions were proposed to overcome these barriers and are summarized in the conclusions of the paper.Key words: fly ash, slag, silica fume, concrete, blended cement.