Barriers and Enablers for Green Concrete Adoption: A Scientometric Aided Literature Review Approach

Abstract

Green concrete is a concept of concrete that uses waste materials to reduce its environmental impact and has various benefits for the environment, economy, and society, such as lower construction cost, less landfill waste, new waste markets, and better quality of life. This study aims to investigate and analyze the barriers and enablers for green concrete development and implementation, based on a mixed-method approach that combines a scientometric analysis and a literature review. The Scopus database was explored first and then these data were used to investigate and capture six categories of barriers and enablers: awareness, technical, economic and market, implementation, support/promotion, and social. Results reveal that the technical and operational aspects are the main challenges for green concrete, while the awareness and social acceptance are not major issues. The current study surpasses the mere popularization of green concrete. Instead, it delves into its multifaceted dimensions, that is, technical, economic, social, and institutional. By meticulously analyzing a diverse group of research articles, key challenges and opportunities associated with green concrete are pinpointed. The findings not only deepen our understanding of the barriers impeding the widespread adoption of green concrete, but also shed light on potential solutions. In summary, this work bridges theory and practice, providing invaluable insights for future researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the sustainable construction domain.