As a state, California is one of the largest consumers of cement in the United States, second only to Texas. California is also a major producer of cement. The direct emissions from the seven cement plants in California contributed 7.8 million tons of CO2-eq emissions in 2019. One of the largest sources of demand for cement in the state is the construction of streets, highways, and other transportation infrastructure. Recently, innovative materials have been developed and produced at various scales to replace a portion of portland cement in concrete while improving durability. However, the challenge lies in rapidly and comprehensively assessing these new materials to develop appropriate specifications and implement them quickly and effectively, including sufficient assessment of the functional performance risks. This research will create a comprehensive and streamlined framework that empowers Caltrans to efficiently identify and assess technically sound, environmentally sustainable, and economically feasible materials. It will guide the entire process from material evaluation to implementation, facilitating the adoption of innovative concrete construction materials.
