LOW-IMPACT CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR KARAKALPAKSTAN: DURABILITY-FIRST, LOW-CARBON CHOICES FOR SALINE AND ARID CONDITIONS
Keywords:
Karakalpakstan; low-carbon concrete; LC3; supplementary cementitious materials; sulfate attack; saline soils; durability; embodied carbonAbstract
Karakalpakstan combines two pressures that rarely appear together in mainstream low-carbon construction guidance: a harsh arid climate with large temperature swings, and widespread soil and groundwater salinity that can accelerate concrete deterioration. This paper develops a durability-first, low-carbon selection framework for building materials suitable for Nukus and surrounding districts. The method integrates (i) a simplified cradle-to-gate embodied-carbon screening of binder pathways, and (ii) a chemical-exposure screening for sulfate and salt environments based on durable-concrete guidance and exposure-class concepts. Results indicate that clinker substitution pathways such as LC3 and locally feasible supplementary cementitious material (SCM) blends can reduce embodied carbon while maintaining, and in some cases improving, durability when permeability is controlled. The practical output is a decision matrix and mix-design guidance that prioritizes low water-to-binder ratio, sulfate resistance and curing quality, with recommendations tailored to saline soils in the Southern Aral Sea region.
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