Performance-Based Concrete for Carbon Footprint Reduction in the Construction Industry: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Current Progress and Future Prospects

Concrete, while being the most widely used construction material in the world, contributes to a significant portion of global emissions. The construction sector is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, and the development of eco-friendly building materials has become a critical area of research. In the past, efforts to lessen the environmental impact of concrete have often come at the expense of its performance. However, researchers are now realizing the importance of creating performance-based concrete that satisfies both environmental and performance standards. Although much has been discovered under performance-based concrete, it needs aggregation of the existing knowledgebase to come up with more holistic options. This requires a more scientific approach to synthesize, analyze, and map the available literature. The current review aimed to use scientometric methods to critically analyze the retrieved 592 articles published in Scopus within the two decade period between 2003 and 2023. The review provides an in-depth analysis of existing research, highlighting gaps and limitations, and identifies areas for future research focus. Specifically, emphasis is made on the importance of performance evaluation related to using nanotechnology in concrete production. Additionally, the review assesses the potential of different strategies for carbon footprint reduction, including the use of alternative materials, carbon capture technologies, and optimization of mix design. While there are challenges to overcome, performance-based concrete offers a promising path toward lowering the carbon footprint of the construction sector while enhancing the performance and durability of concrete structures. The review is useful for multiple stakeholders to implement performance-based concrete solutions.